There are problems, and there are so-called ‘first world problems’. You know the drill; which latest technological advancement to purchase, what to do when your wireless internet drops for five seconds, that sort of thing. At Chelsea Football Club, they too face decisions of this nature now and then, and chief amongst them is what to do about their goalkeeping situation. They’re blessed to find themselves in the luxurious position…
NextGen Series: Ajax draw sets up Barcelona date for Chelsea
Chelsea’s Under-19 team secured safe passage through to the knockout stages of the 2012-13 NextGen Series with an Islam Feruz-inspired 3-3 draw away to Ajax Amsterdam on Tuesday evening. In what was by far their most impressive result in the competition so far, Alex Kiwomya gave the youngsters an early lead but it was immediately cancelled out by a Jordi Bitter strike. Feruz then took over with two strikes either…
Swedish Teen Suljic To Join Chelsea
It’s approaching that time of the year where clubs are working to formalise their youth team intake for next season. Part of that process is considering which overseas imports are of requisite quality and potential to add to the home-grown crop, and Chelsea have been active on that front throughout the season. News has emerged this week that Swedish defender Ali Suljic will join up with the FA Youth Cup…
The Loan Report: January 21-27
Chelsea’s trio of loanees at Vitesse Arnhem headline this week’s Loan Report as they helped their temporary club to a dramatic 3-2 victory over Ajax on Sunday afternoon. Tomas Kalas, Patrick van Aanholt and Gael Kakuta all started in the top-of-the-table clash and played the full duration of a match which was essentially a must-win fixture for Fred Rutten’s men if they were to maintain chances of a title chase…
Decline of the Roman Empire?
Since Roman Abramovich took over Chelsea FC in the summer of 2003, with reports claiming the club was just days away from bankruptcy, he has enjoyed the virtually uncritical adoration of the Stamford Bridge faithful. That’s not to say that there haven’t been periodic rumblings of discontent. Jose Mourinho’s departure in September 2007 was the subject of some, albeit muted, criticism. Before, during and since the infamous CPO EGM in…
Chelsea Pitch Owners 2013 AGM Preview
The Chelsea Pitch Owners AGM takes place in Stamford Bridge’s Harris Suite at 11am on Wednesday 30th January 2013. Hopefully this year’s AGM will see a continuation of the increased numbers of shareholders who are taking the time to attend meetings, make their views known and their votes count. It’s just a shame that the meeting is not only taking place in midweek, but due to the re-arrangement of the…
Under-21s: Chelsea 3-2 Middlesbrough
Chelsea’s Under-21s continued their fine spate of recent form with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge on Friday night. In a topsy-turvy game with multiple lead changes, Scottish forward Islam Feruz proved decisive with a brace for Dermot Drummy’s side, whilst Lewis Baker converted a penalty in between. Boro had taken the lead through Ryan Brobbel and levelled later when Luke Williams struck but despite probably deserving…
Getting A Better Return From The Loan Process
At one point or another during the 2012-13 season, Chelsea have had 32 players playing away from Stamford Bridge on loan. Some are first-team players who have had to find their football elsewhere, and some are aspiring young professionals who don’t necessarily meet the work permit criteria to play in England, but the vast majority of them are young prospects with the potential to develop into very good players somewhere…
The Loan Report: January 14-20
After a few weeks of a Romelu Lukaku dominated, winter break affected Loan Report, everybody was back in action this weekend across Europe, allowing someone else to take centre stage. Gael Kakuta’s first goal of the season may have come in a heavy loss for Vitesse Arnhem, but it represents the sort of progress he’s been making in the Netherlands this season and is a sign of continued positivity for…
Generation Becks
When Chelsea visited St Mary’s in the 3rd round of the FA Cup this season, there was general Mafeking among the happy awaydayers. Flares were lit. A thunderflash was ignited, at which two of my friends cheerfully admitted that they nearly shat themselves with fright. But the Southampton fans didn’t enjoy it. Oh no. In fact, a number of them took to Twitter to express their umbrage. Amongst those hugging…