Month: May 2013

The Under-21 season at Chelsea can probably be summed up by an off-hand comment a prominent member of the academy coaching staff before a late-season game at Cobham against Everton. “So much for this new Under-21 league eh?” Last August, we were told that a new era of youth development was being ushered in when the Elite Player Performance Plan came into effect. Part of that was a ‘revamped’ Professional…

To round up the 2012-13 youth football season at Chelsea, we’re reviewing every single one of the Chelsea youngsters currently on the books who have spent time out on loan during the campaign. Here, we focus on Thorgan Hazard. Club: Zulte-Waregem (Belgium) Appearances: 34 (4 goals) The Story Fresh off the back of big brother Eden arriving in SW6 last summer, Thorgan also made the relatively short hop across the…

To round up the 2012-13 youth football season at Chelsea, we’re reviewing every single one of the Chelsea youngsters currently on the books who have spent time out on loan during the campaign. Here, we focus on Kevin De Bruyne. Club: Werder Bremen (Germany) Appearances: 34 (10 goals) The Story De Bruyne is one of a few Chelsea loanees who many supporters would have loved to see in London this…

It would be easy to take a despondent view of the youth team’s season, at least if you consider that they reached the Final of both the NextGen Series and the FA Youth Cup only to fall at the final hurdle. Yet it’s precisely because, for the fourth season running, the young Blues have found themselves in marquee occasions playing for prestigious silverware that the outlook remains exceptionally positive. There…

To round up the 2012-13 youth football season at Chelsea, we’re reviewing every single one of the Chelsea youngsters currently on the books who have spent time out on loan during the campaign. Here, we focus on George Saville. Club: Millwall Appearances: 3 The Story It’s a shame that things didn’t really work out for George this season, because he put himself in as good a position as possible only…

To round up the 2012-13 youth football season at Chelsea, we’re reviewing every single one of the Chelsea youngsters currently on the books who have spent time out on loan during the campaign. Here, we focus on Josh McEachran. Club: Middlesbrough Appearances: 38 (0 goals) The Story Whatever the collective thoughts of Chelsea and Middlesbrough fans about Josh, the young midfielder will have learned a lot about professional football in…

To round up the 2012-13 youth football season at Chelsea, we’re reviewing every single one of the Chelsea youngsters currently on the books who have spent time out on loan during the campaign. Here, we focus on Todd Kane. Club(s): Preston North End, Blackburn Rovers Appearances: 5 (Preston North End), 14 (Blackburn Rovers) The Story It was an eventful season for young Todd Kane, who spent most of it up…

To round up the 2012-13 youth football season at Chelsea, we’re reviewing every single one of the Chelsea youngsters currently on the books who have spent time out on loan during the campaign. Here, we focus on Billy Clifford. Club: Colchester United Appearances: 18 (1 goal) The Story Having proved himself far too good to be playing regularly at Under-21 level, and with no first team opportunities coming his way…