In our look at the latest Chelsea-related news stories from the media, two former England internationals were impressed by Mason Mount’s display in our FA Cup semi-final win over Manchester United and Leon Goretzka suggests Chelsea will be in better shape than Bayern Munich when the teams meet in the Champions League next month.
These stories are samples pulled from external media sources. They do not represent the views or position of Chelsea Football Club.
Neville and Cole tip Mount for big England role
Former England internationals Phil Neville and Ashley Cole have sung the praises of Mason Mount and believe the Chelsea youngster can make a big impression for the national team, the Daily Mail reports.
Speaking on BBC Sport, the pair expressed their admiration for the 21-year-old who played a key role in the Blues’ 3-1 victory over Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday.
While there is much competition for places in Gareth Southgate’s England side, with young players in various positions making an impact, Neville believes Mount is ahead of the likes of Aston Villa's Jack Grealish and Leicester's James Maddison for a berth in central midfiele.
'I put Mount in that bracket with Grealish and Maddison and I personally think he is the best out of the three,' said the former Manchester United and Everton defender.
Meanwhile, Cole lauded the ability and attitude of Mount who he played alongside at Derby County last season.
'He wants to listen, if you want to criticise him he understands it,’ said the former Blues full-back.
‘He's willing to learn. He should be around the England team. In the England team they've got a lot of youth, and what he brings is so much energy.’
Goretzka feels Chelsea have advantage against Bayern
Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka has suggested Chelsea have a competitive advantage over the German club for our forthcoming Champions League round of 16 tie, Goal.com reports.
Bayern hold a commanding 3-0 lead from the first leg at Stamford Bridge in February but Goretzka is wary that they will not have played a competitive game in over a month before the return game at the Allianz Arena on 8 August.
Chelsea, meanwhile, will conclude our Premier League campaign on 26 July before facing Arsenal in the FA Cup final on 1 August.
‘All our focus is on the game against Chelsea. The good thing about such top opponents is that they have as much respect for us as we do for them,’ said the 25-year-old to Bild.
‘Chelsea has the advantage that they are travelling to Munich just after the season, while we want to keep up our rhythm.’
The Blues lifted the Champions League on our last visit to Munich in 2012 and Goretzka said the Bundesliga side are determined not to allow history to repeat itself.
‘We will do everything to make sure Chelsea will not be successful again in Munich,’ he said.
‘We've already had a great season, winning the championship and the cup. It is clear to every one of us that the competition and our path to the final is extremely challenging.’
Wise explains why he forced Terry to sell new car
Former Chelsea captain Dennis Wise has told The Sun why he insisted on John Terry returning a new car he had bought with his Champions League bonus money two decades ago.
Terry recently said Wise had ‘got me round the throat in the corridor in front of everyone’ at the training ground after learning he had spent his bonus money on a flashy new car and insisted the youngster should return it.
Wise explained he had not been as forceful as he was made out to be but was pleased Terry ‘made the right choice’.
‘What happened was John and Jody [Morris] and Jon Harley worked really hard, they were part of the squad, so they deserved to get a nice bonus,’ said Wise.
‘I made sure that they did and then he walks in with a flash car - I wasn’t too happy. I told him in certain ways this is not about that, you need to be sensible with the money you’ve just got and not waste it on a car. He chose to make the right decision.’
Added the former Blues skipper: ‘I wouldn’t say I had him round the neck. I just had my hand around his shoulders and walked him away and said this is not correct, don’t do that.
‘I was only trying to help the young boys out and point them in the right direction. He took it well I’ve got to say, he did the correct thing. Not that he was forced or anything.’