These stories are samples pulled from external media sources. They do not represent the views or position of Chelsea Football Club.

Mount remembers Havertz

Mason Mount has revealed his first encounter with Kai Havertz when the two faced each other in an Under-17 international match in 2015.

Speaking on the England national team’s YouTube channel, the midfielder remembers scoring against the German side which featured his team-mate.

‘It was my first game on TV, so it was a massive game for us,’ he said. ‘I can’t remember the final score, but I did score a goal in the game and that’s what I can remember.

‘Havertz, my team-mate at the moment, is actually in the video.’

Both players have had similar paths to their respective national teams. The England international rose through our Academy and made his debut for Gareth Southgate last season.

Havertz came through the Bayer Leverkusen youth teams and has featured 12 times for Germany.

In the video, Havertz is seen grabbing Mount as the Englishman struck the ball from outside the box for his opener.

‘Not many people know this, but he is the one that grabs my face,’ Mount adds. ‘I’ve spoken to him about it at training and we had a good laugh about it.’

‘He remembers it as well. It was funny. But it’s great memories to score for your country.’

Hudson-Odoi on young players under Tuchel

Callum Hudson-Odoi believes the young players will continue to get opportunities under new head coach Thomas Tuchel.

Speaking to Stadium Astro, the attacker also revealed the instant impact the German has made since his arrival.

‘When the new manager came in, I thought, when he gives the opportunity to any player you have to give your best from the start,’ the winger said. ‘Whether it’s the first training session or the last one.

‘You have to show your quality from the start so you can make sure you are always in his mind. So, when he has to pick a team, he always thinks that “this player has done this".'

The 20-year-old has been an attacking threat in 2021. He has clinched five goal contributions in his last eight games. He also believes the squad were ready when the new manager arrived to show they can play at a high level.

‘All of our mindsets were ready. Once he came, we always wanted to show we are capable of showing it in the games and training and show him that we can do well.

‘From minute one, we always had the right mentality, and everyone is doing well to get their opportunity.’

Ismael applauds Tuchel

Barnsley boss Valerien Ismael has praised our head coach Thomas Tuchel’s tactical fluidity ahead of our FA Cup fixture tonight.

The Frenchman told The Athletic about our manager and what he remembers of their first encounter in the Bundesliga.

‘I don’t know him personally,’ the Barnsley coach said. ‘I just spoke to him shortly before and after that Wolfsburg game.

‘As a coach, he is very possession-based but he’s very creative and adaptable.’

Tuchel, who was the Borussia Dortmund manager at the time, came out victorious with a 3-0 win over Ismael’s Wolfsburg side. In that fixture, Tuchel also brought on an 18-year-old Christian Pulisic from the bench.

‘He can play 3-4-3 and, if it doesn’t work, five minutes later he will change the shape to be more effective.

‘It’s the quality of a big manager. It’s good for Chelsea, he can work with the young guys and he can give the team more flexibility.’