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

League allows clubs to play friendlies

Sky Sports reports Premier League clubs have been given the go-ahead to take part in friendly matches ahead of the planned resumption of the season in the middle of this month although there will be some added guidelines in order for the games to take place.

According to the report, venues must be no more than 90 minutes away for the visiting clubs and players have to travel in their own cars to and from fixtures while wearing the kit they will play in.

If the games are held at a stadium, the players have to enter via the players' entrance and walk straight onto the pitch, before warming up as dressing rooms will not be used.

In addition, the games are to be officiated by club coaching staff as PGMOL referees and assistants have yet to be tested for COVID-19.

The report adds regular match officials should be ready for the restart of play, which is scheduled for Wednesday 17 June.

Blues looking to beat Reds to Werner deal?

According to the Telegraph, Chelsea could look to beat Liverpool to the signing of Timo Werner by putting in an early bid for the RB Leipzig forward.

The 24-year-old has been heavily tipped for a move to Anfield but the report suggests the Blues may be more willing to pay his release clause.

‘Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp wants to add Werner to his squad in the next transfer window, but the Premier League leaders are yet to match his £53million release clause,’ states the paper.

‘Werner is thought to be keen on a move to Anfield, but that has not stopped Chelsea exploring the situation with a view to making a bid of their own.

‘Should Liverpool continue to drag their feet, then Chelsea are ready to make an offer for Werner, whose release clause expires on June 15.’

‘Both Liverpool and Chelsea may be willing to allow Werner’s current release clause to expire because it drops to £36m in 12 months and the German club have virtually admitted defeat over the prospect of keeping the 24-year-old.’

Barkley sports new bearded look

Ross Barkley has drawn some attention from football.london with his new post-lockdown look after the normally clean-shaven midfielder was photographed at training in Cobham this week with a beard.

‘After N’Golo Kante returned to training sporting a full head of hair a fortnight ago, surely nothing would be able to top that, you'd have thought?’ stated the website.

‘However, it seems as though midfielder Ross Barkley also has a new look to show off. The central-midfielder, who has scored two goals in the Blues' FA Cup run so far this season, has been snapped donning a new-look beard.

‘It's not a look that has ever been accustomed with the former Everton man before and it probably won't be the last change we see in a Premier League footballer following the lockdown period, which has seen hairdressers forced to close and people take on new looks.’