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

Kante vindicates advanced position

The Evening Standard believes the decision to play N’Golo Kante in a more advanced midfield position has worked to the benefit of the Blues after Chelsea’s stirring performance against Liverpool on Sunday.

Maurizio Sarri’s decision last season to move the Frenchman away from his customary berth in central midfield was often criticised but the Standard feels Kante has added another dimension to his game through his new positioning.

‘Chelsea are immeasurably better with N’Golo Kante in any position but Maurizio Sarri was widely derided for using the Frenchman on the right-hand side of a midfield three rather than in the centre,’ said the paper after the Liverpool match.

‘It was therefore a surprise that Frank Lampard persisted with that positioning upon his return to the team this season but his 71st-minute strike came from an area of the pitch he would have been unlikely to occupy in his previous central role. Picking the ball up 35 yards out, Kante turned and drove at Liverpool’s defence before steering a brilliant shot past Adrian.

‘It was only his ninth goal for Chelsea but one which underlined his importance to the team in all aspects of their play: Kante was at the heart of a second-half fightback which could on another day have earned them a draw.’

Tomori mulls international choices

Tammy Abraham is not the only Chelsea youngster with a choice to make on his international future with the Daily Mail reporting Fikayo Tomori is on the radar of three national teams after his impressive start to the season with the Blues.

Like Abraham, Tomori has represented England at youth level but he also qualifies to play for Nigeria through his parents.

In addition, the 21-year-old has the option of playing for Canada as he was born in the country and previously represented them at Under-20 level.

According to the daily, Tomori has not made up his mind on who he wants to play for on the international stage.

‘I'm a citizen of all three [countries] so we'll see,’ he said.

‘I was born in Canada and lived there until I was about seven or eight months old. My family is Nigerian, obviously I live in England. It's nice to have that.

‘I can't play Under-21 football anymore so the last international break I didn't get called up to anyone. Next one maybe we'll see.'

Blues have third-youngest line-up

Talksport has published a list of the average age of the starting line-ups fielded by teams in the Premier League this season which indicates Chelsea have the third-youngest side.

According to the list, the average age of the Blues in our first five games of the campaign was 25 years and 118 days, with only Manchester United and Southampton sending out younger teams in the corresponding matches.

United’s average age was 25 years and 52 days while the Saints were only marginally behind on 25 years and 55 days.

Bournemouth (25 years and 142 days) and Norwich City (25 years and 158 days) rounded off the top five while league leaders Liverpool were 13th (27 years and 37 days) and defending champions Manchester City (27 years and 78 days) one spot behind them in 14th.

Tottenham Hotspur have the fifth-oldest team (27 years and 178 days) while last-placed Watford have the oldest side at 29 years and 198 days.