OK, so Chelsea’s 1-1 draw at Wigan on Saturday evening wasn’t exactly ridiculous, but a collection of errors saw the Blues contrive to throw away what should have been a routine three points. After a fantastic performance against Manchester City on Monday night, a trip to a cold and snowy Wigan was always bound to be somewhat anticlimactic but from a position of relative strength after Daniel Sturridge’s second half…
Special Ones Too
“Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious summer by this sun of York*; And all the clouds that lowered upon our house In the deep bosom of the ocean buried. Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths, Our bruisèd arms hung up for monuments, Our stern alarums changed to merry meetings, Our dreadful marches to delightful measures.” Richard III – William Shakespeare About three weeks ago, following…
FA Youth Cup: Chelsea 2-1 Doncaster Rovers
Chelsea’s 2011-12 FA Youth Cup campaign got underway in successful fashion on Wednesday night with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Doncaster Rovers at Staines Town’s Wheatsheaf Park. In keeping with last season’s form in the competition, the Blues went behind to a very early goal but responded well and goals from John Swift and Lucas Piazon – his first for the club – ensured safe passage into the fourth round….
Youth & Reserve Injury Latest
With a number of young Chelsea players currently battling a range of injuries, it’s time for a brief look into how the stricken lads are getting on in their fights back towards full fitness. Centre-back Daniel Pappoe will miss out on captaining Adie Viveash’s team in their FA Youth Cup tie at home to Doncaster Rovers tomorrow night with a knee problem suffered away to Liverpool in late October. He…
Previewing The FA Youth Cup
The FA Youth Cup has been kind to Chelsea in the past few years as the Blues have won the competition once in addition to (ultimately unsuccessful) runs to both the final and semi-final. The 2011-12 campaign gets underway this week with a ‘home’ tie against Doncaster Rovers, to be played at Staines Town’s Wheatsheaf Park ground. It’s a somewhat unusual choice of venue, but FA regulations demand that matches…
The Loan Report: December 5-11
After a busier couple of weeks on the loan front, things returned to a state of near normality in the past seven days, with a series of solid if unspectular outings alongside your usual helping of frustration. It was a case of the defensive players making an impact this week with clean sheets for both Tomas Kalas and Jeffrey Bruma, whilst goalkeeper Sam Walker enjoyed better days than they generally…
Saville Signs New Long-Term Deal
George Saville, Chelsea’s young versatile midfielder, revealed on Twitter this afternoon that he has signed a new long-term deal with the club. The 18 year-old has signed a four-year contract to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge until the summer of 2015. It’s a big show of faith and commitment from the club to a player who continues to develop and impress. In his eleven appearances for Dermot Drummy’s reserve…
Teenage Stopper Dyk Set To Join Chelsea
Reports in Poland this week suggest that 16 year-old goalkeeper Dominik Dyk is close to sealing a move to Chelsea, perhaps as early as this week. Przeglad Sportowy revealed that the youngster arrived in England on Sunday and will put pen to paper on a scholarship deal on Thursday. The deal has been struck involving famed ‘super agent’ Pini Zahavi. Dyk has been playing competitive adult football since the age…
The Loan Report: November 28 – December 4
Conor Clifford scored the first goal of his fledgling professional career in another week of highs and lows for Chelsea’s young loan starlets. The Irish Under-21 international capped the final week of his month-long spell at Yeovil Town by scoring for the first time in senior football in Friday night’s FA Cup victory away to Fleetwood Town. Clifford – playing at the top of a midfield diamond – scored midway…
Sturridge Shines At St James Park
Andre Villas-Boas finally had something to cheer about as Chelsea gave a performance which showed they are making progress and moving in the right direction after the recent debacles, after they broke Newcastle United’s unbeaten start to the season at home and recorded a 3-0 victory at St. James’s Park. The pressure had been mounting on the young manager after a series of insipid performances which have resulted in us…