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

Wright-Phillips on choosing Chelsea over Arsenal

Shaun Wright-Phillips says he chose to join Chelsea instead of Arsenal in 2005 because the Blues showed more urgency in trying to sign him from Manchester City, the Mirror reports.

Citing a FourFourTwo magazine interview with the former England winger, the paper relates how Arsenal legend Ian Wright, advised his adopted son to choose the Blues over the Gunners.

‘Arsenal came in for me at the same time as Chelsea, but Arsene Wenger wanted to wait until January,’ said Wright-Phillips.

‘I’ve always been brought up to strike while the iron’s hot, because you never know what’s going to happen a week later.

‘If I’d got injured, I might have missed both opportunities. Dad told me, “Son, of course I’d love it if you played for Arsenal, but we’ve got to take you where you fit best.”

‘We didn’t have to make a choice – Arsene made the decision for us.’

While Wright-Phillips didn’t make a big impression during his time at Stamford Bridge, netting 10 goals in 125 games over three seasons, he remembers his time at the club fondly.

‘I loved it there and the supporters were tremendous with me’ he said. ‘I had some tough times, but they always cheered for me.’

Report links Chelsea with Alaba

According to the Sun, Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Austria international David Alaba from Bayern Munich this summer.

Citing Spanish journalist Guillem Balague, the paper suggests the Blues are keen to bring in the experienced and versatile 27-year-old who has played for Bayern as a full-back, centre-back and midfielder.

‘He's been approached by other clubs, yes, but Chelsea will be interested in Alaba and I think that his versatility will really work in favour of Frank Lampard,’ said Balague on his YouTube channel.

‘He can play as you know in the midfield, in the full-back position as well of course, that's where he's very well known as, but Pep Guardiola made him much more than just a full-back.

‘It will be interesting to see him in the Premier League. That's certainly one to keep an eye on.’

Alaba's Bayern contract expires in 2021, raising speculation the German giants want to sell him this summer instead of losing him for nothing next year. Juventus, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Barcelona have also reportedly been linked with the Austrian.

Fabregas helps out Monaco staff

Sky Sports reports former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has made a big gesture to help out staff at his current club Monaco, who have been badly hit by the Covid-19 crisis.

The Ligue 1 season appears to be over after the French government announced on Tuesday that it had banned all sporting events until September.

Players and staff at Monaco have seen their wages cut but Fabregas, who joined the Ligue 1 side from Chelsea in January 2019, has also reportedly agreed to defer his wages until July and to help top up the wages of staff members.

‘The former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder has, like his current team-mates, already agreed to take a 30 per cent pay cut over the next four months,’ states the report.

‘And despite saving his club around €2.2m (£1.92m), Fabregas has also agreed to top up the wages of the staff at the club's training ground, who have also had their salaries cut to reduce the club's costs.’