The Loan Report: December 19-27

December 27, 2011

The Christmas edition of The Loan Report is something of an abridged one as a number of Chelsea’s young loan stars are spending the holiday season away from football, with their leagues enjoying winter breaks. Matej Delac and Ceske Budejovice went on hiatus earlier in the month and in the last week the Croatian stopper was joined by Jeffrey Bruma, Tomas Kalas, Ulises Dávila and Thibaut Courtois. Their league campaigns…

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Kakuta To Join Dijon On Loan

December 22, 2011

French Under-21 international Gael Kakuta will attempt to kick-start his career once again in 2012 as he will join French club Dijon FCO on loan from Chelsea, according to French sporting media today. Kakuta has spent the first half of this season at Bolton Wanderers but despite scoring in his first start for the club, he has been unable to work his way into Owen Coyle’s plans. Wanderers have struggled…

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Reserves: Arsenal 0-4 Chelsea

December 19, 2011

A spectacular brace from Nathaniel Chalobah ensured a superb end to Chelsea’s 2011 calendar as the Blues secured an impressive 4-0 victory away to Arsenal. The defender-cum-midfielder, who only turned 17 last Monday, opened the scoring in the first half with a cheeky backheel and after Romelu Lukaku doubled the lead with his fourth in as many games, Chalobah put the seal on things with a beautifully flighted free kick….

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The Loan Report: December 12-18

December 18, 2011

With the season drawing towards the winter break across Europe, this week’s loan report will be longer than many in the coming weeks as many leagues draw a line under the first half of the 2011-12 season. Tomas Kalas and Jeffrey Bruma have been amongst the highlights of the campaign so far for Chelsea’s young loanees and both were in action at the weekend for one last time in 2011…

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FA Youth Cup: Chelsea 2-1 Doncaster Rovers

December 14, 2011

Chelsea’s 2011-12 FA Youth Cup campaign got underway in successful fashion on Wednesday night with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Doncaster Rovers at Staines Town’s Wheatsheaf Park. In keeping with last season’s form in the competition, the Blues went behind to a very early goal but responded well and goals from John Swift and Lucas Piazon – his first for the club – ensured safe passage into the fourth round….

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Youth & Reserve Injury Latest

December 13, 2011

With a number of young Chelsea players currently battling a range of injuries, it’s time for a brief look into how the stricken lads are getting on in their fights back towards full fitness. Centre-back Daniel Pappoe will miss out on captaining Adie Viveash’s team in their FA Youth Cup tie at home to Doncaster Rovers tomorrow night with a knee problem suffered away to Liverpool in late October. He…

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Previewing The FA Youth Cup

December 12, 2011

The FA Youth Cup has been kind to Chelsea in the past few years as the Blues have won the competition once in addition to (ultimately unsuccessful) runs to both the final and semi-final. The 2011-12 campaign gets underway this week with a ‘home’ tie against Doncaster Rovers, to be played at Staines Town’s Wheatsheaf Park ground. It’s a somewhat unusual choice of venue, but FA regulations demand that matches…

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The Loan Report: December 5-11

December 11, 2011

After a busier couple of weeks on the loan front, things returned to a state of near normality in the past seven days, with a series of solid if unspectular outings alongside your usual helping of frustration. It was a case of the defensive players making an impact this week with clean sheets for both Tomas Kalas and Jeffrey Bruma, whilst goalkeeper Sam Walker enjoyed better days than they generally…

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Saville Signs New Long-Term Deal

December 9, 2011

George Saville, Chelsea’s young versatile midfielder, revealed on Twitter this afternoon that he has signed a new long-term deal with the club. The 18 year-old has signed a four-year contract to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge until the summer of 2015. It’s a big show of faith and commitment from the club to a player who continues to develop and impress. In his eleven appearances for Dermot Drummy’s reserve…

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Teenage Stopper Dyk Set To Join Chelsea

December 6, 2011

Reports in Poland this week suggest that 16 year-old goalkeeper Dominik Dyk is close to sealing a move to Chelsea, perhaps as early as this week. Przeglad Sportowy revealed that the youngster arrived in England on Sunday and will put pen to paper on a scholarship deal on Thursday. The deal has been struck involving famed ‘super agent’ Pini Zahavi. Dyk has been playing competitive adult football since the age…

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