Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has indicated that Olivier Giroud won’t be parting ways with the west London side when the transfer window reopens in the summer. The France international has largely played as a back-up striker for the Premier League duties and he has publicly expressed his frustration regarding the same in local interviews.

As such, there have been reports that Giroud could push for a fresh challenge elsewhere ahead of next season, but Sarri has stressed that won’t be the case. Speaking in a press conference, Sarri indicated that the marksman has a 12-month option available on his existing contract and the club have already assured him that the Frenchman won’t be leaving on a Bosman this summer, he said: “He [Giroud] is sure [to stay] because the club has an option for another year, another season. I spoke to the club two days ago and we agreed to exercise the option. So, he will remain.”

Chelsea and Ghana legend Michael Essien has said that it is difficult to pick a favourite for the summer’s African Cup of Nations in Egypt. The veteran midfielder failed to get his hands on the continental crown during his international career with the Black Stars, but believes his country should offer a good challenge for the title.

In an interview with Goal.com, Essien refused to pick a genuine winner for the forthcoming tournament but hinted that hosts Egypt could hold the edge with Mohamed Salah in their ranks, he said: “That [question on the favourites] is a difficult one because there are so many good teams these days – it’s very difficult to choose the eventual winner. You cannot rule out the North African teams, especially the host nation Egypt with Mohamed Salah. Then Ghana and the West Africans like Nigeria, Senegal, and Cameroon are all strong teams, so the winner could come from there. "It’s too close to call, so may the best side win.”

Chelsea defender David Luiz has said that the Blues must be prepared to tackle the challenge ahead in the Europa League as the competition could be crucial to their Champions League prospects. The west London side are currently just three points behind the top four of the Premier League but judging by the recent domestic form, they seem to have a better chance of prevailing in Europe.

Speaking on the club’s official website, Luis said that the Blues have to be ready for every moment in the forthcoming months, if they are to end the season with a trophy in their hands, he quipped: "To understand we have to be ready for every single moment. Bad moments can arrive, emotional moments can arrive, hard moments can arrive, and we have to be ready for that. To win a tournament is not just flowers. I have learned a lot in my career, and football is nice because there is always something new, and you also have to be ready for that."

Chelsea attacker Pedro has said that the Blues players continue to have difficulties in adjusting to Maurizio Sarri’s style of play and their result is sometimes dependent on how the opposition line up against them. The Blues have been in a poor run of form on the road in 2019 and they are yet to score a goal while conceding a staggering 13 in the past four matches.

In a report covered by Goal.com, Pedro has acknowledged that the team fully understand the philosophy brought upon by Sarri, although they can’t replicate the same whenever they are on the playing field. The former Barcelona went on to suggest that the opposition’s game plan could affect their performance which was the case during the recent embarrassment at the hands of Manchester City, he said: "All the team follows the idea of Maurizio. It is simple. Stay high, compact, create chances, keep possession, and create chances. The team knows this but it can be difficult to play this way, it depends on the other teams, City played well"

Chelsea attacker Eden Hazard has hinted that he could stay put with the Blues beyond the current campaign after acknowledging that manager Maurizio Sarri think about football in the same way as him. The 28-year-old has just 17 months remaining on his existing deal with the Blues and this has intensified speculation regarding his future beyond the summer.

Amidst this, Sarri has regularly praised the Belgian for his qualities on the playing field and Hazard has now returned the same by expressing his pleasure of working with the former Napoli boss, he told The Times: "The manager likes possession! He's a lot about statistics. Numbers. Possession. Shooting. Goal opportunity. In the past we used to play more counter-attack.

Former Queens Park Rangers manager Ian Holloway has said that Gonzalo Higuain won’t wilt under the pressure at Chelsea and could emerge as an excellent signing for the Blues. The Argentine is scheduled to join the Blues on a short-term loan from Juventus but the club have the option of extending the temporary deal for a further year with the option to buy.

Speaking to Express Sport, Holloway suggested that Higuain could be a monster for Chelsea and could instantly hit the ground running like former players Diego Costa and Didier Drogba, he told: “Gonzalo Higuain could be a monster for Chelsea. I think he’s got total class written all over him and he’s got enough experience to own that shirt. That shirt weighs a tonne. The centre forward shirt at Chelsea weighs a tonne. You’ve only got to walk round the ground and see the legends there. If I was a centre forward for them I’d be thinking: ‘Good God, I’ve got to be as good as them!’”.

Former Chelsea star Michael Essien believes Andreas Christensen could end his association with the Blues when the transfer window reopens at the turn of the year. The Denmark international has managed just one league appearance for the Blues since the appointment of Maurizio Sarri at the helm and this has recently intensified speculation regarding his future.

Speaking to The Express, Essien admitted that the Blues may be fearful regarding the potential departure of Christensen, who has already voiced his frustration at the limited gametime this season, he said: “Every player wants to play. Chelsea isn’t an easy place to come and the competition is very fierce. At the end of the day, all the players work but it’s the manager who will pick who he wants to play. ‘When you’re not playing you get frustrated and you want to look elsewhere.”

France international Olivier Giroud has stressed that he is prepared to fight for his Chelsea future and has no plans of parting ways with the club when the transfer window reopens. Giroud only joined the Blues from Arsenal at the start of the current year and he appeared to have the upper hand of Alvaro Morata in terms of gametime towards the end of the campaign.

However, the Blues have since experienced a change in management with Maurizio Sarri taking over from Antonio Conte and the former has preferred Morata on a regular basis amid Giroud’s struggles upfront. Speaking to Telefoot, Giroud indicated that he has no plans of leaving the Blues in the forthcoming transfer window unlike stated in the media.

Denmark international Andreas Christensen has said that he may not consider a fresh challenge from Chelsea in the New Year – despite the limited playing time since Maurizio Sarri took charge at the helm during the summer. Christensen made his Blues debut under the guidance of Antonio Conte last term and he went onto make 40 appearances across competitions including 27 in the English top-flight.

However, with the change in management, Christensen has yet to earn a single minute of league action under Sarri and this has constantly brought up the speculation of him leaving Stamford Bridge after the recent comments made from his father and agent. Despite this, the central defender has highlighted that he is prepared to fight for his position at the west London club while a winter departure may not be on the horizon.

Ghana international Christian Atsu has said that manager Rafael Benitez is well aware of his current situation with Newcastle United and the Spaniard is trying his best to offer him gametime. Atsu was a huge hit during the Magpies’ promotion from the Championship during the 2016/17 season but he has since fallen out of the radar with a nagging knee problem hampering his progress.

Speaking in a news conference, Atsu admitted that he is experiencing a tough period with the Tyneside outfit after undergoing a surgery on a knee injury shortly before the summer World Cup, he said: “I played a lot of games but things have changed this time around because of the surgery I underwent before the World Cup. It has really affected my play because I’ve been a little slow but I’m working hard to hit top form soon. Rafael Benitez understands my situation and he is trying his best for me. In fact, he has in a way adopted me as his son and I regard him as my father too.”