Chelsea FC today announced that they have completed the signing of Ramires from Benfica, for a fee believed to be around £16.3 million. The initial hold up to the deal was due to the third party ownership of Ramires contract, held by one Kia Joorabchian, and understood to be 50% of the value of any sell on clause. Joorabchian had played a part in bringing the Brazilian to Benfica, and…
Ramires Granted Work Permit
News reaches us that Ramires has today been granted a work permit, and the £18 million deal to bring the Brazilian international to Chelsea should be concluded before the weekend. Chelsea have trailed Ramires throughout the close season and once Benfica agreed a fee to sell him to Chelsea, only a work permit stood in the way as Ramires didn’t automatically qualify for one. With the work permit now reportedly…
In The News: Carvalho, Ozil & Madness
Some of us thought the omission of Ricardo Carvalho from the Community Shield was odd, considering his fitness and previous appearances, and sadly the reason for that is now clear. A fee of €8 million has been agreed with Real Madrid to instigate the transfer of our Portuguese defender, and re-unite him a third time with mentor, Jose Mourinho. Last season wasn’t one to remember for Carvalho as injury largely…
Sinclair Departs For Swansea
He was once regarded as one of the brightest prospects at Stamford Bridge, but Scott Sinclair’s Chelsea career ended Monday when he joined Swansea City on a three-year deal. The Blues will receive £500,000 immediately (although 15% of that will go to Bristol Rovers), with performance-related bonuses potentially taking the deal up to £1m. The money arriving up front probably represents the amount paid out for Scott in transfer fees…
In The News: Kenyon, Ramires & Ashley
So we kick off with the news that Peter Kenyon has finally left Chelsea, coming less than a year after he stepped down from the position of Chief Executive. With Ron Gourlay now the full time CEO, Kenyon was retained in a non-executive advisory role and it was he who called time on his involvement with the club, in order to focus on other business interests. Chairman Bruce Buck spoke…
Not Just A Pre-Season Friendly
It’s only a friendly, we keep hearing. This is true, but it is more than that. It’s a marker as to where we are in preparation for the new season, and it didn’t look good. With the upcoming internationals only serving to deprive Ancelotti of his players again, the physical and indeed mental condition of the players after four defeats in pre-season doesn’t bode well, with little opportunity to rectify…
Chelsea To Seal Chanturia Deal?
Reports this weekend suggest that Frank Arnesen has once again been busy in the youth transfer market, with his attentions turned to Barcelona. Chelsea are believed to have secured the services of Georgian forward Giorgi Chanturia, who spent last season on loan at the Catalan club from Vake Tblisi. He was well considered at La Masia but, according to AirFutbol, he will move to London, having been unable to agree…
One Change For Wembley
It’s Chelsea vs Manchester United (again) at Wembley this afternoon, playing on an all new semi-artificial surface, which should mean no nasty injuries, and some decent football. The Wembley directors have said yesso to Desso, in adopting the half grass, half synthetic solution to try and solve their ongoing pitch woes. With the system in place at many Premier League clubs such as City, Arsenal and Liverpool, amongst others, here’s…
In The News: One In, One Out
It looks as if Deco has made his last appearance in a Chelsea shirt with news of a transfer to Fluminense all but completed. The Brazilian club announced on their official website the 32 year old Portuguese international will sign a two year deal and be officially unveiled on Monday. Deco had earlier commented to the Brazilian media that; “Chelsea have chosen not to speak to the press until the…
Under-18s: Chelsea 3-2 Wycombe Wanderers
So this is what a win feels like. It hasn’t been the best pre-season to date, at least from a results point of view. The first team have lost their last three, the reserves have lost all three, and before this morning, the Under-18 team had lost their only fixture. They put that right, however, in the form of an entertaining 3-2 victory over Wycombe Wanderers in a match where…