The end of the Premier Academy League season this week saw two young Chelsea boys wear the blue shirt for the final time, as Ben Sampayo and Bobby Devyne were confirmed to be departing at the end of their contracts this summer. They will almost surely joined by Anton Rodgers, who hasn’t appeared for the club since the start of March. The trio all signed two-year youth scholarship deals in…
Under-18s: Charlton Athletic 2-1 Chelsea
Chelsea brought their 2010-11 academy campaign to a close on Thursday lunchtime with a 2-1 defeat away to an impressive Charlton Athletic team. First half goals from Adebayo Azeez and Bradley Goldberg were enough to secure three points for the Addicks, who move above the Blues in the table, but a strong second half showing from the visitors threatened to take a share of the spoils. The closing weeks of…
The Games That Win You Titles
The night after the day before and it’s all still a bit too much to take. Having clawed back from so far behind, to get within touching distance of retaining the title and then lose it in just 45 minutes of football has left many of us feeling deflated. In March we were wondering if we’d even make fourth place, so credit where it’s due to Carlo and the lads….
Reserves: Chelsea 3-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Chelsea secured their first Reserve League crown since 1994 on Monday night with a comfortable 3-0 win against Wolves and set up a showpiece final against Manchester United or Blackburn, to be played next Monday at Stamford Bridge. Goals from George Saville, Adam Phillip and Gokhan Tore ensured the Blues picked up the three points they needed to usurp Arsenal from Group C’s summit, and in truth they could have…
The Loan Report: May 2-8
Many of Chelsea’s loan contingent signed off for 2010-11 this weekend as the English Football League campaign drew to a close, but for a few, there are still some loose ends to tie up. Starting in the top flight, Michael Mancienne started his second consecutive game at centre-back for Wolves, who picked up a huge three points in the battle to avoid relegation by beating West Brom 3-1 in the…
A Date With Destiny?
Last seasons victory at Old Trafford was the turning point, Chelsea went to Manchester at a similar time of the season and victory was arguably the difference in finishing the season as Champions. Double-winning Champions. This Premier League season, however, has been very bizarre to say the least. Chelsea are currently on course to reach the lowest amount of total points gained since Roman Abramovich took over in 2003 and…
Under-18s: Chelsea 1-4 West Ham United
Chelsea ended their 2010-11 home academy campaign with their youngest team of the season, and despite a spirited performance went down to an older, stronger and better West Ham team 4-1 at Cobham. Elliott Lee grabbed a hat-trick for the Hammers whilst Robert Hall added a first half penalty. Walter Figueira scored a late consolation for the Blues, who had chances throughout. Dermot Drummy named eight schoolboys in his starting…
Reserves: Manchester City 4-0 Chelsea
A four-goal hammering by Manchester City on Thursday night means Chelsea’s quest for Reserve League glory goes down to the final game of the season. Strikes from John Guidetti, Abdi Ibrahim, Harry Bunn and James Poole ensured a comprehensive win for City on a night where Chelsea were far from their best. Steve Holland was able to keep the majority of his squad together from last week’s victory over Aston…
Five Blues Set for Euro Duty
Stuart Pearce’s 40-man Preliminary Squad for this summer’s European Under-21 Championships has been named this evening, and includes five Chelsea youngsters, making The Blues the most represented club in the party. Michael Mancienne, Daniel Sturridge, Ryan Bertrand, Jack Cork and Josh McEachran are all named and all stand a strong chance of being in the final 23 heading to Denmark in June. The quintet are regular faces amongst Pearce’s recent…
The Mourinho Issue
There has been a lot of speculation (mainly in the press, although it hasn’t been exclusively limited to them) about the future of Carlo Ancelotti, and whether he is likely to see out the remaining year of his contract at Chelsea. I’ll put my hands up here and say I’m ambivalent. One on the one hand, I like Carletto very much as a person. On the other hand, however, I…