The Loan Report: April 11-17

April 17, 2011

By scoring his fourth goal in five appearances for Swansea, Fabio Borini once again leads the headlines as we catch up with Chelsea’s young loanees. With Daniel Sturridge cup-tied for Bolton’s Wembley date with Stoke, and with Michael Mancienne (Wolves) and Gael Kakuta (Fulham) enjoying a free weekend due to cup rescheduling, attentions turned to England’s lower leagues. Borini’s latest effort came in the 53rd minute of the Swans’ trip…

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Blues To Extend Inter Relationship?

April 17, 2011

When Chelsea signed goalkeeper Matej Delać from Inter Zaprešić in September 2009, it signalled the start of a healthy working relationship between the two clubs. According to reports in Croatian media this weekend, the two clubs are still in close contact and the Blues have keen interest in two of the club’s key players in their unpredictable rise to third in the league this season. The main interest surrounds teenage…

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The Loan Report: April 4-10

April 10, 2011

Goals from Daniel Sturridge, Fabio Borini and Patrick van Aanholt, plus a red card for Sam Walker and the premature end of Conor Clifford’s spell at Notts County headline another hectic week in the land of the Chelsea loanee. Bolton’s 3-0 win over West Ham on Saturday saw England Under-21 striker Sturridge add two more goals to his Wanderers total, taking him to six since joining the club on loan…

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FA Youth Cup: Chelsea 3-2 Manchester United

April 10, 2011

A brace from defender Nathaniel Chalobah and a second half effort from Bobby Devyne gave Chelsea’s youngsters a narrow one-goal lead after a fascinating first leg of their FA Youth Cup Semi Final against Manchester United. Having trailed at half time, the visitors responded superbly after the break and despite twice staring at a two-goal deficit, rallied to give themselves every chance of a turnaround at Old Trafford in ten…

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Youth Cup Defence Reaches Semi Final Stage

April 8, 2011

Sandwiched in between this week’s marquee double-header against Manchester United in the Champions League is the first leg of another significant knockout tie against the Red Devils. On Sunday lunchtime, Stamford Bridge will host the first leg of this year’s FA Youth Cup Semi Final, as Chelsea seek to defend the crown they won eleven months ago. Standing in their way are as tough an opponent as the young Blues…

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The Loan Report: April 1-3

April 3, 2011

This issue of The Loan Report takes a quick look at the weekend action amongst Chelsea’s young loanees, as clubs returned to domestic action after a fortnight of international jaunts. It was a case of maintaining the status quo in the Premier League, with Daniel Sturridge impressing whilst Gael Kakuta and Michael Mancienne saw no playing time. Sturridge had an excellent first half against Birmingham City for Bolton Wanderers, and…

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The Loan (and International) Report: March 21-31

March 31, 2011

With the last fortnight seeing the football calendar largely taken over by international commitments, the latest instalment of The Loan Report will also catch up on how Chelsea’s youngsters have been doing on their travels. Starting at home, the international break meant no action in the Premier League and The Championship, but there was selected activity in Leagues One and Two. Conor Clifford was an unused substitute for Notts County…

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Reserves: Wigan Athletic 0-1 Chelsea

March 21, 2011

Chelsea’s Reserve team extended their unbeaten run to six matches and completed a hat-trick of consecutive wins over North-West opposition with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Wigan Athletic on Monday afternoon. A first half goal from Billy Clifford ensured all three points would be heading back down south as the Blues moved into second place in the South Group, and are in with an outstanding chance of this season’s title….

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Czech Starlet Set For Blues Deal

March 21, 2011

Chelsea appear set to add another highly-rated teenager to their ranks this week, as a deal for 15 year-old Czech forward Dominik Mašek is believed to be close. The FK Příbram forward spent a week on trial with the club earlier this season and a move reportedly worth upwards of £1m is said to be close. Mašek’s club confirmed that he and a younger player both spent some time training…

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Under-18s: Chelsea 3-1 Milton Keynes Dons

March 20, 2011

With just one win to their name after 21 games in Group B of Premier Academy League, damage limitation must have been on the minds of Milton Keynes Dons U18s as they visited Cobham on Saturday morning. Chelsea aren’t exactly running away with the lead in Group A; being just above bottom-side Portsmouth in the 10 team league, with a fair bit of distance between them and the leading pack…

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