Sometimes you just need to hold your hands up and accept that you’re second best. That will certainly be the case for Chelsea this afternoon after Southampton came away from Cobham with a 4-2 victory achieved with a first class performance in which they dominated every aspect of the game. The Blues improved in the second half and a brace from Bobby Devyne threatened to give them hope, but in…
For many, myself included, tonight’s Carling Cup game will be one of the most anticipated Chelsea matches in some time. For whilst it’s not a title six-pointer, or a European knockout tie, it may represent the future of the club. 2010-11 is the season where the Blues will apparently use the Carling Cup to showcase some of the younger talents at Stamford Bridge. Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that Jeffrey Bruma, Gael…
For one reason or another, it’s been a little while without a youth team match report, so let’s have a catch-up. The academy fixture list presented three away games in the last four, and with the home date against Cardiff clashing with first team commitments at Upton Park, the opportunity to see the Under-18s first hand hasn’t quite been there. That doesn’t mean the interest wanes however, far from it….
Whilst Chelsea’s loanees haven’t been remarkable yet, and another week has passed without any standout performers, it’s always good to catch up. We’ll start, as usual, with Michael Mancienne at Wolves. The England Under-21 captain lined up in midfield for the trip to Tottenham and had what was generally an impressive match. Mick McCarthy’s men held a 1-0 lead until late in the game, when they wilted under pressure, eventually…
Chelsea’s return to reserve team football after three weeks away lacked nothing in an evening of ups and downs at St. James’ Park. Having trailed early in the game, a brace from Milan Lalkovic had given the Blues the lead, but a second half goal from Haris Vuckic appeared to have ensured a share of the spoils, until Adam Phillip, returning from a year out through injury, won and converted…
After an international break, the domestic football scene returned with a vengeance this week, and as Chelsea’s loan ranks swelled to near double figures over the transfer deadline, there’s a lot to take in. Michael Mancienne remained the club’s only Premier League loanee and started his first match in his third spell at Wolves in defensive midfield away to Fulham. It appears he struggled for the first hour of their…
It’s been a subject of some consternation for Chelsea fans in the last few months. Gael Kakuta’s contract with Chelsea, as far as any media source reveals, is due to expire next summer. The club have certainly never revealed an extension to the deal he signed when joining the club, and FA registration documents over the last twelve months have not mentioned his name. The wait and uncertainty may be…
Twenty-nine of Chelsea’s current youth and reserve players have represented their countries at youth level. A number of them added to their caps in the last fortnight or so during what was an important round of fixtures for many. At Under-21 level, the qualifying campaign for the Finals in Denmark next summer came to a head, with teams seeking to secure automatic berths, or a best-placed playoff spot if necessary….
Scott Sinclair, Miroslav Stoch, Franco Di Santo. Headline names amongst a group of young players who have permanently departed Chelsea this summer, and in doing so, have helped reveal something Chelsea are potentially working towards. It’s no secret that the club regards its 1991-93 generation as one of the finest to ever come through the youth academy. They made good on their promise last season in winning a first FA…
With the loan contingent reaching double figures this week, the loan report will suddenly become a lot longer. With that in mind, let’s dive straight in. The story of the week was undoubtedly a trio of Blues youngsters joining Vitesse Arnhem in Holland under a relationship forged between the two clubs as a result of friendly relations between Roman Abramovich and new Vitesse owner Merab Jordania. Nemanja Matic, Slobodan Rajkovic…