Chelsea’s return to reserve team football after three weeks away lacked nothing in an evening of ups and downs at St. James’ Park. Having trailed early in the game, a brace from Milan Lalkovic had given the Blues the lead, but a second half goal from Haris Vuckic appeared to have ensured a share of the spoils, until Adam Phillip, returning from a year out through injury, won and converted…
After an international break, the domestic football scene returned with a vengeance this week, and as Chelsea’s loan ranks swelled to near double figures over the transfer deadline, there’s a lot to take in. Michael Mancienne remained the club’s only Premier League loanee and started his first match in his third spell at Wolves in defensive midfield away to Fulham. It appears he struggled for the first hour of their…
It’s been a subject of some consternation for Chelsea fans in the last few months. Gael Kakuta’s contract with Chelsea, as far as any media source reveals, is due to expire next summer. The club have certainly never revealed an extension to the deal he signed when joining the club, and FA registration documents over the last twelve months have not mentioned his name. The wait and uncertainty may be…
Twenty-nine of Chelsea’s current youth and reserve players have represented their countries at youth level. A number of them added to their caps in the last fortnight or so during what was an important round of fixtures for many. At Under-21 level, the qualifying campaign for the Finals in Denmark next summer came to a head, with teams seeking to secure automatic berths, or a best-placed playoff spot if necessary….
Scott Sinclair, Miroslav Stoch, Franco Di Santo. Headline names amongst a group of young players who have permanently departed Chelsea this summer, and in doing so, have helped reveal something Chelsea are potentially working towards. It’s no secret that the club regards its 1991-93 generation as one of the finest to ever come through the youth academy. They made good on their promise last season in winning a first FA…
With the loan contingent reaching double figures this week, the loan report will suddenly become a lot longer. With that in mind, let’s dive straight in. The story of the week was undoubtedly a trio of Blues youngsters joining Vitesse Arnhem in Holland under a relationship forged between the two clubs as a result of friendly relations between Roman Abramovich and new Vitesse owner Merab Jordania. Nemanja Matic, Slobodan Rajkovic…
Reports emerging from the Netherlands this lunchtime have three of Chelsea’s young players heading to Vitesse Arnhem for season-long loan spells. Nemanja Matic, Slobodan Rajkovic and Matej Delač are all in Arnhem ahead of confirming the deals, potentially as early as this afternoon. The Serbian duo have been in training with the rest of the squad this morning whilst the young Croatian goalkeeper Delač has been undergoing a series of…
Chelsea’s Reserves learned an important lesson on Monday evening at Stamford Bridge. A lesson, in fact, they could do well to take from the first team they’re aspiring to join: when you’re on top, be ruthless. One of the finest 45-minute performances you’re likely to see anywhere opened the campaign in front of a lively crowd but the young Blues went into the break with just a Fabio Borini goal…
With the season still only three weeks old, the loan report remains in its infancy, both in terms of the season overall, and the number of players being reported on. As you will read below, however, that is very much subject to change. Before discussing potential moves though, let’s focus on those who have played. With no midweek action to speak of, we dive straight into this weekend’s action, which…
One never knows quite what to expect from a reserve campaign, but typically it’s not a great deal. 2010-11 will see a new structure in place, but even before things get underway, you get the impression it’s a bit like the emperor’s new clothes. Promises have been made, but in all probability, nothing will have changed and frustrations will grow at a system which is not conducive to developing young…