Chelsea’s debut in the NextGenSeries didn’t quite go according to plan as although they dominated large parts of their Group C opener against CSKA Moscow, they went down by the odd goal in three. Patrick Bamford’s early goal had promised much but after a quickfire double salvo from the visitors, the young Blues faced a hard task to get themselves back into the game, and despite recording a number of…
Archange Nkumu this week joined Yeovil Town on a month-long loan to become Chelsea’s eighteen player out on a temporary deal in 2012-13. The weekly Loan Report is therefore liable to a long and detailed one, and whilst Nkumu didn’t manage to debut away to Scunthorpe United this weekend, he and fellow Blues defender Rohan Ince should have a decent role to play for the Glovers, who sit top of…
There’s scarcely been a better or more appropriate time to discuss Romelu Lukaku. Following a frustrating first season at Chelsea, the Belgian returned for the new campaign determined to prove himself and, following some rather terse words towards his permanent employers after departing on loan to West Bromwich Albion, he’s started pretty well, with a goal for his country against Holland and another for the Baggies against Liverpool. To suggest…
Here we go again then. Another season of loan news gets underway here at TheChels.net, and with over a dozen faces already having departed, there will be no shortage of news each and every week. Some of Chelsea’s youngsters have returned to familiar climbs after impressive spells in 2011-12, whilst others have new homes or are embarking upon a much-needed move after a frustrating campaign last time out. That brings…
There may have been no goals in last night’s Under-21 clash between Chelsea and Manchester City, but their respective Under-18s served up plenty on Saturday morning. The Blues ran out 6-1 winners in emphatic style, with six different players finding the back of the net. Reece Mitchell, Jordan Houghton, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Jeremie Boga, Charlie Colkett and Fankaty Dabo all got themselves in on the act on a wonderful morning for…
A new era in English youth football began on Friday night without a goal on the pitch but with many more ahead of them on and off the field. Chelsea and Manchester City both drew blanks in the seaaon’s first Under-21 fixture, with the new competition throwing up a marquee clash on opening night. It was a match high on quality throughout and one which promises much for the season…
Having previewed Chelsea’s opponents in Under-18 and Under-21 competition ahead of the coming season, and taken a look at those competitions themselves in some depth, all that remains is to preview the Blues themselves ahead of 2012-13. Nearly twenty new first-year scholars and promoted schoolboys join a group of players which has won both the Reserve League and FA Youth Cup crowns in recent years and bring additional quality and…
At what point does it become silly? Another day, another Belgian(ish) played linked with Chelsea. The latest news comes from DH, who suggest that Blues scout Tony White (who does a lot of work in France and the Benelux region) is looking to finalise a deal for Senegalese defender Cheikhou Kouyaté. The 22 year-old, who wore the number 8 for his country at the London 2012 Olympic Games, would not…
In previous seasons of the youth and reserve team previews, we’ve looked extensively at Chelsea’s youth team opponents in Academy Group A and beyond, and less so at those playing at the next level up. However, with the same six teams on the agenda for both the Under-18s and Under-21s, it makes sense to embark upon a new structure and take a look at the key faces and ones to…
Everything you used to know has changed. The landscape for 2012-13 as far as youth development competition goes has changed dramatically, and for the better. There is no more Premier Academy League. There is no more Premier Reserve League. Instead, Chelsea’s youngsters will take part in Under-18 and Under-21 competition in the new Professional Development League. In addition to their new domestic schedule, Chelsea will also be taking part in…