The Loan Report: December 24-29

December 30, 2018

The winter break across Europe has accounted for a big chunk of Chelsea’s loanees enjoying a festive holiday, but there has been plenty to talk about from those who have played, as we hit the fifty-goal mark for the season too. Headliners There was enough incident at Carrow Road, where Norwich met Derby, for an entire article in its own right. Norwich went into the day second in the Championship,…

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Chelsea Academy Moments of 2018

December 29, 2018

It’s been another stunning year for Chelsea’s academy. Unprecedented success on the pitch at youth-age level, an increasing presence in the first-team at Stamford Bridge, and a growing stature in the production of players and staff making an impact elsewhere in world football have made the last twelve months particularly memorable. Here are some of the highlights as we approach 2019. January 2018 was only 28 days old when Callum…

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The Loan Report: December 17-23

December 23, 2018

The Christmas edition of the Loan Reports bears gifts for all, with goals from the wise men of Tenerife, Sheffield Wednesday, and Aston Villa. Our festive story begins in Birmingham. Headliners Tammy Abraham is officially the most in-form goalscorer in English football. His 9th goal in his last eight appearances came in the early stages of Aston Villa’s big Sunday clash against Leeds, and looked to have set Dean Smith’s…

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How does a Hudson-Odoi become an Mbappé?

December 20, 2018

It’s September 2014. A tallish, gangly and occasionally awkward looking boy wearing the number 13 shirt collects possession, fakes inside before shifting back onto his preferred right foot, and scampers off into the space behind the full-back. His cross is headed well wide by a team-mate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLC03jNYWBE The match peters out into a goalless draw, and few of the hardy souls in attendance, let alone the player himself, would likely…

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FA Youth Cup: Manchester United 4-3 Chelsea

December 17, 2018

Chelsea’s five-year grip on the FA Youth Cup is over after they lost a barnstorming Third Round tie at Manchester United on Monday night. Facing the sternest early-round test of their credentials at any point during their reign of dominance, they were up against it from the start, handing Mason Greenwood an early goal after goalkeeper Karlo Ziger slipped when receiving a backpass. That sent the tone for an absolute…

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