Part of a young player’s development is understanding and experiencing different positions on the pitch. Many an individual will spend time working on and playing in an unfamiliar role to expand their knowledge of the game, and how another player in the team will see things from ther place. In the first of a series of looks at members of the youth and reserve teams who have performed well in…
Christmas Offer – 15% Off All Our Tops!
It’s nearly Christmas and as were in a festive and happy mood, we’ve decided to knock a whopping 15% off all items on TheChels.biz! All you have to do is buy as normal, then when you reach the checkout, just add the code YOUMADEIT as you make payment to earn your discount. Currently we only have our smart and funny designs available on t-shirts and tops, yet we will be…
Chelsea Sign Young Dutch Starlet
In a move which has been rumoured since November, Feyenoord today confirmed that 15 year-old Nathan Aké will join Chelsea next summer. Leo Beenhakker, Technical Director at the De Kuip side, revealed that Nathan had sealed the move, and indeed, despite interest from elsewhere (most notably Manchester City), he only ever had eyes for the Blues. In an interview with Algemeen Dagblad, Beenhakker said: “I talked with Nathan and his…
Don’t Dream It’s Over – Beyond the Scholarship
Somewhere in the region of a dozen schoolboys have featured for Chelsea’s academy team so far this season. Many, if not all of those, will go on to secure scholarships with the club going forward, as they continue their footballing development. For others, however, this time of year will be an uncertain one. Staff at Cobham will be deciding upon who will be offered a two-year academy deal (typically at…
Who Snows What Could Have Been?
As the snow causes chaos across the country, it also prevents Chelsea from potentially sitting top of the table before St.Nic does his rounds. Shame. This could have been a perfect time to play United at home as our form has been awful to say the least, but positives were starting to show, particularly after an impressive second half display at White Hart Lane. JT showed us all why he…
Let’s Talk About Slobodan Rajkovic
If Chelsea were linked with a nearly 22 year-old international centre-back tomorrow, one suspects the reaction would be a positive one. The player in question has over 100 appearances in club football, is versatile, has impressive size and height, and is currently captain of his club side. It all adds up quite well for a potential signing in a position the club has struggled for depth in so far this…
The Harding Perspective: Man United
This series of articles will hopefully look to address the tactical nuances that will face the Blues before every game. What better way to start then to address our biggest rivals for the title: MANCHESTER UNITED (H) 19/12/10. The biggest tactical dilemma that Carlo will face is simply how to counteract United’s expected shape. United will surely line up very similar to the formation below, with Nani and Park possibly…
Under-18s Battle Onwards Despite Injuries
Forgive the rather obtuse title to this article, for I was unable to come up with something more succinct. If one takes a cursory glance at the Group A standings in the Premier Academy League, Chelsea’s name will be found towards the bottom of the table. Certainly, this is unfamiliar territory for a Blues academy who had challenged at the other end in recent years. However, theirs has thus far…
Where Are They Now? Sam Dalla Bona
Samuele Dalla Bona signed while captain of the Italian under-18 side. He was Chelsea’s Young Player of the Year in 1998-99 after netting 16 goals for the reserves but had to wait for Dennis Wise and Gus Poyet to leave before getting an extended run in the first team in 2001. Things turned sour the next season when he turned down the chance of a new contract because he wanted…
Chelsea Pitch Owners – Grounds for Concern?
The Facts: On Friday I attended the AGM of Chelsea Pitch Owners, which was held in the Vialli Suite at Stamford Bridge. Despite the company having over 14,000 shareholders, only 380 chose to return their proxy ballot papers, and only 20 shareholders attended. This inevitably meant that any dissent in the room would be overturned by the proxy vote, being in the hands of the Chair. The meeting was chaired…