Twenty-eight days after their first meeting, Chelsea and Manchester United renew acquaintances this Friday evening in the second leg of their FA Youth Cup Semi Final. At Old Trafford on March 16th, goals from Amin Affane and Islam Feruz gave the Blues a slender 2-1 advantage to return south with, one which makes them slight favourites to progress to the Final, but it’s a close call. At the same stage…
A busy Easter weekend across Europe has seen plenty of action on the loan front as Chelsea’s young professionals approach the end of their temporary spells elsewhere. The landscape is well known now, of course, with some players very much first choice at their respective clubs, and others struggling for consistent playing time. Neil Bath, academy manager, spoke this week about important decisions which will be made over the summer…
It’s the turn of the goalkeepers to take centre stage in the latest edition of the Loan Report after an interesting week for Chelsea’s quartet of stoppers. Giving credit where it’s due, it’s also appropriate to begin with Yeovil Town’s Sam Walker, who had one of his finest days as a professional on Saturday with an inspired, man of the match performance away to Bournemouth. Earlier in the week, Glovers…
Chelsea’s Under-18 team rounded out their home campaign for 2011-12 with a second consecutive goalless draw against Aston Villa. In a match of few real chances and little incident, a point apiece was a fair result and both sides were able to offer further opportunities to younger players. Under-16s Mitchell Beeney and Dion Conroy started for the hosts whilst Adi Viveash was able to welcome back Archange Nkumu from injury….
Chelsea’s Reserve team earned a deserved point in South Wales on Tuesday evening as they drew 2-2 agaisnt Swansea at the Parc y Scarlets. Dermot Drummy’s young side twice fell behind in the second half but Patrick Bamford and Lucas Piazon hauled the Blues back on terms on each occasion, with the Brazilian striking in timely fashion with just moments remaining. It was a just result and an impressive one…
It’s been a rather action-packed seven days on the loan front with a number of teams and players in action twice. For the first time as a Chelsea player, Kevin de Bruyne is this week’s headline act. The Belgian international turned in a performance of the highest order when his team needed it most, scoring one and creating the other two goals as Genk beat Gent 3-1 in midweek to…
Chelsea’s Reserve team continued a fine week across all levels for the Blues with a 4-2 win away to Newcastle on Monday night. A brace from Romelu Lukaku – taking the Belgian to seven goals in as many games – and one apiece from Nathaniel Chalobah and Billy Clifford secured an impressive three points for Dermot Drummy’s men. They won’t be successfully defending their national title from last May but…
It’s been another successful week for Chelsea’s young loan stars, and we’ll turn the headlines over to one who has today picked up his first winner’s medal in professional football. Ben Gordon was part of the Kilmarnock side which pulled off an improbable upset in the Scottish League Cup Final, defeating Celtic 1-0 courtesy of Dieter van Tornhout’s 83rd minute winner to secure the trophy for the first time. Gordon…
Chelsea put themselves into a strong position in the FA Youth Cup with a 2-1 first leg victory away to Manchester United on Friday night. Goals from Amin Affane and Islam Feruz secured a vital victory for the Blues in the opening game of the Semi Final, and they will host their opponents at Stamford Bridge in some ten days time or so with an advantage to play with. As…
For the fourth time in five years, Chelsea have reached the Semi Final stage of the FA Youth Cup. As has become the norm now, there’s been no shortage of drama along the way as the comeback kids have produced staggering turnarounds against West Ham United and Nottingham Forest en route to the final four. In fact, the Blues have only led for less than an hour of this year’s…