For many, a third consecutive FA Youth Cup Final between Chelsea and Manchester City will only serve to confirm their fears that the financial largesse that exists at the top of the English game has well and truly made its way down to the academy ranks, with the two biggest-spending clubs in the country now dominant at junior level as well. Others will view it as a positive thing; almost…
The Loan Report: April 3-9
It’s been a very busy week on the loan front, with goals flying in left, right, and centre. With so much to cover, let’s dive straight in. Headliners The Eredivisie was responsible for the majority of our headlines, and it began with Bertrand Traore opening the scoring in Ajax’s 4-1 win against AZ Alkmaar in midweek. Playing as a centre-forward in the continued absence of the injured Kasper Dolberg, the…
Under-18s: Manchester City 2-0 Chelsea
Chelsea’s 26-match unbeaten run at Under-18 level came to an end on Saturday morning as they were beaten 2-0 by Manchester City at the City Academy Stadium. Tom Dele-Bashiru’s first-half goal and a late stoppage-time second from Taylor Richards proved enough to earn all three points for the hosts in the Merit Stage of Under-18 Premier League competition despite a missed penalty by Reece James, but neither team played anywhere…