The Blues Brief

Article by Robert Wake

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e-Chelsea Weekly News Round Up

13 August – Atsu loaned to Everton – Ghanaian international winger Christian Atsu has joined Premier League Everton on a season-long loan. Atsu spent part of last season at Eredivisie outfit Vitesse Arnhem.

15 August – Jhoao Rodriguez loaned to Bastia – Young Colombian forward Jhoao Rodriguez has joined Ligue 1 Bastia until the end of the season. The Corsica based club are currently managed by former Chelsea midfielder Claude Makelele.

15 August– Changes to first team squad numbers – Oscar has taken the #8 shirt vacated by Frank Lampard, allowing Didier Drogba to revert to #11. Returning goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will wear the #13 shirt, with Nathan Ake taking #6.

15 August – Chelsea U21’s 2-1 Manchester City U21’s – The under 21’s began the defence of their title with a hard fought victory over a strong Manchester City side. The visitors took the lead through Pablo Maffeo after just three minutes. Maffeo then gifted Chelsea the equaliser after 74 minutes when he sliced Ola Aina’s cross into his own net. The Blues now had the momentum, and following sustained pressure, grabbed a winner in stoppage time when substitute Charly Musonda rifled home from Alex Kiwomya’s deflected cross.

16 August – Chelsea Youth 4-3 Southampton Youth – The Saints started well and were two up within 15 minutes through a brace from Marcus Barnes, the second of which was a penalty. Chelsea’s youngsters gradually settled, and halved the deficit before the interval through a Tammy Abraham penalty. Kasey Palmer scored a fine individual goal to level the scores, but an equally impressive effort from Saints Josh Sims put the visitors ahead. Abraham restored parity for The Blues again, before substitute Josh Grant headed home from a corner with just three minutes remaining.

16 August – Victor Moses joins Stoke City on season loan – Nigerian international Victor Moses has joined Stoke City on a season long loan. Moses spent last season on loan at Liverpool.

18 August – Season Loans for Perica, McEachran and Marin– Croatia forward Stipe Perica has joined Eredivisie club NAC Breda on loan for the season. Perica also spent last season with the Dutch outfit. Josh McEachran has joined Vitesse Arnhem for the season while Marko Marin has joined Serie A club Fiorentina for the season.

18 August – Burnley 1-3 Chelsea – Chelsea survived an early scare to ultimately run out comfortable winners at newly promoted Burnley on Monday night. The home side started brightly, and took the lead after just 14 minutes. Chelsea failed to effectively clear a corner, allowing Burnley the chance to get the wide. The cross seemed to pose little danger, but Chelsea were slow to close down Scott Arfield who thumped a 20-yarder beyond an unsighted Thibaut Courtois who had been given the nod ahead of Petr Cech in the visitor’s goal. Chelsea were vulnerable on their travels last season, but their response here was magnificent. They were behind for just 3 minutes. Branislav Ivanovic drilled Cesc Fabregas’ clever back heel across goal. The ball rebounded off the far post, and fell invitingly for Diego Costa to smash home his first goal for the club. The second goal, just four minutes later was a simply stunning team effort that may not be bettered anywhere this season. Eden Hazard dribbled at the heart of the Clarets defence before laying the ball off to Ivanovic. The Serb played a low ball into Fabregas 20 yards from goal. The Spaniard’s awareness of Schurrle’s late run was impressive, but the first time pass was simply sublime. Schurrle made the first time finish look easier than it was. Chelsea were now in full flow, and Diego Costa was denied a penalty when he appeared to be clipped by Tom Heaton in the area. Referee Michael Oliver thought differently, and booked the Spaniard for simulation. The Blues were not to be denied for long though. Fabregas played an inviting corner into the area, and Ivanovic thumped the ball home from close range. After the fireworks of the first half, the second period was uneventful, though Courtois showed his credentials, expertly tipping round another effort from Arfield. A good start for The Blues, with the promise of much more to come. Goals: Arfield 14, D.Costa 17, Schurrle 21, Ivanovic 35. Att: 20,699.

20 August – Four Blues named in Brazil squad – Filipe Luis, Oscar, Willian and Ramires have all been named by new Brazil coach Dunga for the forthcoming friendlies with Colombia and Ecuador next month.

Looking Ahead

Saturday 23 August, 15:00hrs, Chelsea v Leicester City, Premier League, Stamford Bridge.
Thursday 28 August, UEFA Champions League Group Stage draw, 16:45hrs, Monaco.
Saturday 30 August, 17:30hrs, Everton v Chelsea, Premier League, Goodison Park. Live on Sky Sports.

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