It’s been a much quieter week than usual on the loan front, with many of Chelsea’s youngsters at other clubs sitting on the sidelines for their most recent matches. Of course, there’s a handful who are near ever-present, and chief amongst them is Thibaut Courtois, a name who has led us off on many a report this season. This week he started perhaps the most important match of his fledgling…
FA Youth Cup Final First Leg: Chelsea 4-0 Blackburn Rovers
Chelsea hold a commanding advantage in the FA Youth Cup Final after an emphatic 4-0 first leg win on Friday night at Stamford Bridge. A second-half brace from Islam Feruz followed first-half strikes from Nathaniel Chalobah and Islam Feruz as the Blues put themselves in the strongest of positions ahead of the return fixture next month. Blackburn had their moments and chances but were unable to capitalise upon them and…
FA Youth Cup Final Preview: Chelsea vs Blackburn Rovers
It’s a case of familiar territory in the Chelsea academy right now as, for the third consecutive season, the club’s junior ranks find themselves in a cup final. The FA Youth Cup triumph of 2009-10 was followed by last year’s success in the Premier Reserve League, where the Blues overcame Blackburn Rovers at Stamford Bridge. Rovers are once again the opposition this time around as the Youth Cup returns to…
A Case For Robbie?
For the last few weeks I’ve been intending to publish a piece on the merits of keeping Roberto Di Matteo as Chelsea manager. Doing so now might appear reactionary after the excellent result against Barcelona, but if I begin by prefacing the entire article with the notion that his body of work as manager – at least in terms of ‘just’ results – isn’t close to being top of the…
The Loan Report: April 10-15
It’s an all-action end to the season on the loan front as a busy Easter period led straight into another packed schedule of action for Chelsea’s young professionals. Games are increasing in importance and it’s always interesting to see how players handle the increase in pressure when the stakes are high. Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, for example is excelling just when his team need him the most. With Genk…
Introducing Campaign55
Introducing Campaign55 – A New Initiative from Chelsea Pitch Owners’ Shareholders I’m sure that the events of last Autumn connected with Chelsea Pitch Owners are only too fresh in the minds of most Chelsea fans. One of the reasons that the proposal put before CPO shareholders at October’s EGM failed to be carried, was the efforts of a group of CPO shareholders who banded together under the name Say No…
FA Youth Cup: Chelsea 1-1 Manchester United (Chelsea win 3-2 on aggregate)
Chelsea will play in their second FA Youth Cup Final in three seasons after besting Manchester United 3-2 on aggregate over two keenly-fought Semi Final contests. A second half strike from Brazilian forward Lucas Piazon earned the Blues a draw on the night after Jack Barmby’s first half opener and ensured that Adi Viveash’s boys progressed to the Final against Blackburn. United came with the intention to leave everything they…
FA Youth Cup Semi Final Second Leg Preview
Twenty-eight days after their first meeting, Chelsea and Manchester United renew acquaintances this Friday evening in the second leg of their FA Youth Cup Semi Final. At Old Trafford on March 16th, goals from Amin Affane and Islam Feruz gave the Blues a slender 2-1 advantage to return south with, one which makes them slight favourites to progress to the Final, but it’s a close call. At the same stage…
Sweet FA
A couple of weeks ago, I sent an email (In fact, all-in-all, I sent four emails) to the Football Association with regard to our FA Cup Semi-Final. I was annoyed at the fact that without common sense prevailing, Chelsea had been given Sunday April 15 as the date for our FA Cup Semi-Final against Tottenham Hotspur. As a background to my original email, which was written prior to our Champions…
Chelsea To Take On MLS All-Stars
Chelsea’s 2012 summer tour of the United States of America will include a clash with the MLS All-Stars, according to reports this week. As revealed by Ives Galarcep of Fox Soccer, the Blues will take on the best the MLS has to offer on July 25th at the Philadelphia Union’s PPL Park. It marks the second time the club has been involved in the all-star festivities after losing 1-0 to…