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

Hofmann responds to interest

Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Jonas Hofmann has responded to Chelsea’s reported interest in him.

Speaking to Ruhr Nachrichten, the German international admitted there has been an unnamed club keeping tabs on him.

‘I feel good at Borussia, I’ve always emphasised that,’ the 28-year-old said. ’It may be one or another club that has expressed its interest.’

Earlier reports in Germany suggested that Blues head coach Thomas Tuchel is keen to reunite with the midfielder in the summer. Hofmann played under the German boss during their time at Borussia Dortmund.

‘I think it’s clear that other clubs will notice if you perform well,’ he said when asked about the Chelsea rumours. ‘Therefore, it is possible that one or another has already asked.’

Hofmann has been in good form this season for his club. Despite missing nine games through injury, he has scored seven times and picked up 11 assists in 24 games.

It is also reported that the midfielder has no release clause in his contract and would cost £14 million.

Broja wants to become a Blues legend

Chelsea loanee Armando Broja has revealed he wants to replicate the success of Didier Drogba, as the youngster looks to become one of Europe’s top-scoring teenage strikers.

Speaking to Goal.com, the Albanian international spoke about his current loan at Dutch club Vitesse. The 19-year-old has already matched Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s goal tally from his first Eredivisie season at Ajax.

‘I’ve scored nine goals and two assists, but I am never satisfied,’ Broja said ‘I want to get more goals and assists to keep tallying them up.’

Broja made his first-team debut almost a year ago after scoring 19 goals in the Academy last season. He came on against Everton in Chelsea’s last game at a full at Stamford Bridge.

One of the Albanian’s aims is to become a legend at Chelsea and follow in the footsteps of Didier Drogba. He recalls seeing all the Blues legends every day at Cobham which motivated him.

‘I was like, “Wow that’s Frank Lampard, Drogba or John Terry right in front of me”,’ he continued. ‘I loved taking pictures with them because I wanted to be them. I wanted to be in their shoes at the top level.

‘Now I’m approaching the age they were when they were playing, I want to try and surpass Drogba. It might not be easy, but that’s my mentality and how I am feeling.’

McEachran reflects on breaking into the first-team

Former Blues midfielder Josh McEachran has opened up on how he broke into the first team under former head coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Speaking to Football.London, the 28-year-old looked back at his FA Youth Cup triumphs and how that set the foundation for his senior career.

‘Playing in front of 50,000 people in the first team, alongside those great players, which footballer doesn’t want that?’ he said. ‘It was just pure excitement for me. In the Youth Cup, though, it was different.

‘People knew who I was, knew that I was training with the first team. There was an expectation for me to go and be the best player in every game.’

McEachran impressed enough that he was called-up to train with the first team under Luiz Felipe Scolari.

However, the manager who gave him his biggest opportunity in the first team was Carlo Ancelotti. The current Everton boss gave the midfielder his debut against Zilina in the Champions League, then arguably his best performance for the Blues a week later at Stamford Bridge against Newcastle on his home debut.

‘I remember looking up at the clock as I was waiting to come on,’ he added. ‘I was so excited to be getting a proper chance to show everyone what I could do.

‘After the game, all the lads in the dressing room told me how well I played and that was massive.

‘That was my first time in front of Chelsea fans, and I think I showed them what I could do.’