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

Adrian’s penalty save under the spotlight

TalkSport has taken issue with the penalty save by Adrian which saw Liverpool edge out Chelsea to win the Super Cup on Wednesday.

The Reds lifted the cup after Adrian blocked Tammy Abraham’s effort with his trailing leg but questions have been raised about the validity of the save after video footage revealed the Spaniard clearly had both of his feet off the line when the ball was struck.

While three penalties were ordered to be retaken during this summer’s Women’s World Cup after VAR had spotted similar infringements, Adrian was not called back to face Abraham again, raising questions about double standards in the enforcement of the rules.

‘The rules state goalkeepers must have part of one foot on the line when the penalty is taken. Adrian, quite clearly, did not,’ states TalkSport’s Sean O’Brien.

‘The incident begs the question: what is VAR actually for? If it takes such a microscopic approach to offside, then why does it ignore goalkeeper encroachment?

‘It’s just weird that in this new technologically advanced world, with such intense and explicit detail involved in every decision, some rules are simply disregarded for no apparent reason, while others are placed under the strongest possible magnifying glass.

‘Mason Mount had a goal disallowed when he was just as far offside as Adrian was off his line. What’s the difference?

‘The point is, whether it’s a good thing or not, we’ve decided that VAR is going keep the game explicitly in line with the rules, even if it’s a matter of millimetres.

‘Once you subscribe to that method, you can’t simply pick and choose which laws to implement. It has to be all or nothing.’

Kante described as an ‘empty crisp packet’

N’Golo Kante has been likened to flying garbage by Tony Cascarino in The Times* although the analogy used by the former Chelsea striker was meant as a compliment after the Frenchman’s fine performance against Liverpool in the Super Cup.

Writing in his column, Cascarino used an interesting analogy to describe Kante’s energetic display in Istanbul.

‘N’Golo Kante’s energy is extraordinary but he offers so much more than fitness,’ he wrote.

‘It’s the way he darts around the pitch, he’s like an empty crisp packet in the park, flying around all over the place.

‘[Frank] Lampard hasn’t moved him back into a solely defensive role, Kante was still pushing up the pitch and pinched the ball on the halfway line for Chelsea’s opening goal.

‘Yes he’s brilliant when your team is camped on the edge of their box but he’s great higher up the pitch too, as his ability to read an opponent is superb.

‘People don’t realise how important tackling is in attack as well as defence.’

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Batshuayi focussed on Chelsea cause

A tweet by Belgian journalist Kristof Terreur has indicated Michy Batshuayi is not looking to move to another club but is determined to remain at Stamford Bridge and battle for a spot in the Chelsea squad.

Several media outlets including the Sun are reporting interest from Roma in signing the Belgian striker, who did not play in Chelsea’s first two matches of the season against Manchester United and Liverpool.

However, Terreur states the 25-year-old wants to remain with the Blues.

‘Various clubs have enquired about Michy Batshuayi, and AS Roma was one of them,’ he said.

‘But the player is still focused on fighting for his place at Chelsea and willing to stay. Frank Lampard wants to retain his three strikers.’