The FA Youth Cup returns in earnest this Wednesday as Chelsea begin the defence of their crown once again and, having won both the 2013-14 and 2014-15 editions, are seeking to become the first club to win three in a row since Manchester United claimed five in a row at the competition’s inception in the early 1950s. It promises to be a tough ask, not least because a considerable number…
Nathaniel Chalobah celebrated his 21st birthday this week with his first Napoli goal. It’s therefore appropriate to kick off our Loan Report with a look at that in the first of an Italian double-header. Headliners The young midfielder – yes, he’s still young – hasn’t had much of a look-in during his time at Naples, with just one start in the Europa League to his name alongside a five-minute cameo…
Stipe Perica takes a rare step into the spotlight this week as the Loan Report’s solitary goalscorer, but the last seven days have also been largely positive for Chelsea’s army of talented young loanees. Headliners The young Croatian forward is approaching a year in Italy at Udinese after leaving Dutch side NAC Breda last January to embark upon an 18-month deal with the Zebretti, and it’s not been plain sailing…
Chelsea’s Under-18s remain very much on course to finish atop the Southern standings this season as they produced another typically rampant performance to beat West Ham United 4-0 at Cobham on Saturday. Jacob Maddox opened the scoring with little more than a minute played and, although they had to wait until the second half before Miro Muheim, Trevoh Chalobah and Iké Ugbo added to the tally, the young Blues were…
Chelsea secured a place in the last eight of this season’s Barclays Under-21 Premier League International Cup on Friday night courtesy of a 5-0 walloping of Celtic at Aldershot’s EBB Stadium. Four goals in twenty-three resounding first-half minutes paved the way for their progression as Mukhtar Ali, Kevin Wright, Charly Musonda and Kasey Palmer all got on the scoresheet in a display of relentless and clinical attacking play. The remainder…
Jeremie Boga takes centre stage in this week’s Loan Report as he crowned his first Ligue Une start with a first senior professional goal. Headliners Prior this weekend, Boga had only started once for Rennes against Bastia in the French League Cup but, with injuries limiting Philippe Montanier’s options in attack, he handed the 18 year-old a first start in the league away to Reims. He was nominally positioned as…
Chelsea remain clear at the top of the Barclays Under-18 Premier League after notching a resounding 5-0 win over third-placed Leicester City at Cobham on Saturday. Joe Edwards’ side took their goals tally to 23 from their last four outings with another formidable display of attacking; Iké Ugbo moved into double figures for the season with a first-half brace whilst Jacob Maddox, Mason Mount and substitute Charlie Wakefield all got…
“In the first-team squad we have seven under-21 players who have 26 starts and 12 substitute appearances this season, and 43 appearances on the bench (when they were) not used.” It was a curious riposte from the beleaguered Jose Mourinho on Monday when pressed as to why he continues to struggle to integrate youngsters into his Chelsea first team squad. It’s not the first time a manager has come prepared,…
We return from the final international break of 2015 with three more goals in a #CFC #loanwatch season that has so far been fairly consistent in provising weekly headliners. Two of the more familiar faces kick us off whilst one more chipped in with his first of the season. Headliners Lucas Piazon returned to the starting line-up for Reading at home to Bolton – with manager Steve Clarke still in…
Chelsea’s rampant Under-18s once again emphasised that they are very much the team to beat in the South league right now after a resounding 7-2 victory at Southampton on Saturday. The hosts scored the first and last goals of the contest but had little to shout about in between as Chelsea made light work of the wet weather and tore into their hosts with ruthless efficiency. Iké Ugbo led the…