Here are your Chelsea evening headlines for Monday, May 25.
Kovacic aims to learn from Lampard
Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic is determined to emulate Frank Lampard by learning directly from his manager to improve his game.
The Croatian who initially joined the club on loan in 2018, made his move permanent last summer when club legend Lampard took over.
Despite his relative lack of experience, Lampard has impressed during his short time in charge, leading Chelsea to fourth place in the Premier League with just nine games remaining.
Kovacic is impressed with what he has seen and hopes his boss can make him a better player.
"I think I can learn a lot from him because all the things I am missing from my game - scoring goals and being more direct, this is the thing Lampard was amazing at in his career,” he said on Instagram.
"So he's a great manager, a great person and I think I can learn a lot from him during my time here."
James progress sees Blues drop Hakimi interest
Chelsea are unlikely to pursue a move for full back target Achraf Hakimi following the development of Reece James.
Real Madrid right-back Hakimi - currently on loan at Borussia Dortmund - had been earmarked as a potential target and possible long term replacement for captain Cesar Azpilicueta.
However, The Athletic report that the emergence of James this season has seen the Blues drop their interest in the 21-year-old Moroccan international who was reported to be valued at £50million.
James, who has featured 26 times in all competitions this season - scoring twice - has impressed enough at Stamford Bridge to save Frank Lampard the headache of having to recruit in his position.
Barkley ‘could have been next Gerrard’
Blues Midfielder Ross Barkley had the potential to be as good as Steven Gerrard, according to former Everton defender Mark Hughes.
Barkley who broke through at Goodison Park made over 150 appearances for the Toffees before moving to Chelsea in 2018.
However, the England international has failed to nail down a regular starting place at Stamford Bridge and Hughes believes the player hasn’t hit standards he could have done.
“I love when a young lad comes through, and he was the one who I thought could be the next Steven Gerrard for Everton,” the Accrington Stanley player told Tribal Football.
“You could have built a team around him. I thought he could've been the best midfielder England had since Steven Gerrard.”
