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For the fifth time in slightly under five years, Chelsea have a new manager. Andre Villas-Boas returns to Stamford Bridge having departed with Jose Mourinho in September of 2007, and he returns as one of the hottest commodities in the game, a 33 year-old academic who smashed records with FC Porto last season. For Chelsea’s academy, however, things are about to change again as they will embark upon yet another…
The Chelsea managerial merry-go-round continues to spin, but news this morning suggests it may be slowing down ready to stop. Major sources in Portugal are reporting that FC Porto manager André Villas-Boas is headed to London after Blues owner Roman Abramovich agreed to pay his release clause, believed to be in the region of €15m. The 33 year-old, who has previous experience at Stamford Bridge working as a scout for…
When Jeffrey Bruma returns from his holidays later next week, he will complete the formalities in a deal to join German outfit Hamburg on a two-year loan. The reaction to the news has been mixed amongst Chelsea supporters, with some suggesting that the young Dutch defender will never be capable of holding down a regular place in the Blues’ lineup, whilst others have vented their anger at Frank Arnesen for…
Well, we’ve now long past the end of a season which, although rich in promise at the outset has ended as a damp squib, particularly with Carlo’s departure, which although not unexpected was shocking in its suddenness. I strongly suspect that the most disappointed amongst our fan base will be those under 25, who have grown up seeing Chelsea as an established Premier League force and for whom a season…
In case you don’t recognize the quote, it’s from one of the best films to come out of the 1980’s: Top Gun. I did change the spelling from “Goose” to “Guus,” for many Chelsea supporters’ favorite Dutch manager: Guus Hiddink. Right about now, the speculation is swirling that Guus will be the new Chelsea manager. News has even come out from the Turkish FA that they are powerless to stop…
International fixtures and friendlies especially, in most people’s eyes, are normally seen as a disruption to the ever growing number of games that players have to play in a calendar season. However, as one season comes to an end and preparation for the next season begins, for Chelsea, it could turn out to be a very important week. Daniel Sturridge scored after 9 minutes for England’s under 21’s in this…
After Michael Mancienne and Jacopo Sala, Turkish winger Gökhan Töre has become the third Chelsea player to join German club Hamburger SV, signing a three-year deal this evening. The 19 year-old returned from international duty, where he had been with the senior Turkish squad under Guus Hiddink, to his native Germany in Cologne before travelling to Hamburg for a medical examination today. Chelsea are believed to have received in the…
To finish the review of the season at youth and reserve level, we’ll hand out a few recognitions and ‘best ofs’. Rather than simply nominate individuals, multiple players will get mentions, which is the right way to do things, particularly at this level where everyone is developing and striving to better themselves each and every week. Youth Team: Todd Kane was voted the club’s Scholar of the Season and deservedly…
Hot on the heels of Michael Mancienne joining Hamburg earlier this week, news is breaking this afternoon that Italian midfielder Jacopo Sala has also been snared by Frank Arnesen and has signed a three-year deal with the German club. The Italian, who has represented his country at all junior levels up to Under-21, was not expected to move, with a year remaining on his contract, but has this afternoon been…
In 2010-11, Chelsea had more players represent England than any other club in the world. It’s a statistic which goes some way to countering the myth that the club imports the best talent from around the world at the expense of home-grown youngsters, particularly as many of them have been outstanding performers for the Three Lions. At the top, John Terry regained the captaincy, whilst Stuart Pearce’s Under-21 team has…