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It was a mixed bag of results this week at the Chelsea academy but as always there is plenty going on and lots to catch up with. Starting with the U18s on Saturday who were playing away to Blackburn Rovers who had made a good start to the season, however it was the blues who came out on top eventually coming away with a 5-2 win. The goals coming from regular scorers for the U18s now with Domonic Solanke and Ambrose Gnahore both scoring two goals and Kasey Palmer with the other goal. It has been a steady start for the U18s who are getting more confidence with each game with some good performances from players like Solanke, Palmer and also Charly Musonda having a big influence over the U18s games so far this season.
The U21s were also in action again this week but suffered their first defeat since the opening game of the season away to Everton despite being 2-0 up at half time, the game eventually finished 3-2 to Everton and unfortunately the game was not aired LIVE on Chelsea TV so I am unable to give a real indication of how the game went but two of the goals we conceded were gifts to Everton, a horrible pass out from Blackman straight to an Everton player and the third was a penalty which Blackman initially saved but an Everton player was quicker to the follow up. Chelsea’s goals scored in the first half were by Ruben Loftus-Cheek and John Swift, Swift’s goal was a cracker from way outside the box. It will be a big disappointment for the U21s who have had a good run but maybe missed the influence of Lewis Baker who missed this game to sit on the bench for the first team in the Capital One Cup.
With so many players out on loan there is always plenty to go over, starting off in Spain with Thibaut Courtois who this week played in both of Athletico Madrid’s games this week against Valladolid and Osasuna, victorious in both games. Courtios was also able to keep a clean sheet against Valladolid. Elsewhere in Spain, there was a potential match up against Marko Marin at Sevilla and Oriol Romeu’s Valencia, however Oriol Romeu was not in the squad for Valencia. Marin however played the full 90 minutes for Sevilla as they lost 3-1 to Valencia. Marin then played 70 minutes against Rayo Vallecano and this time Sevilla were victorious. Finally in Spain, Ulises Davilla was on the bench for Cordoba this week.
Elsewhere in Europe and starting at second club Vittesse and the game against Zwolle it was the usual starters Patrick Van Aanholt and Lucas Piazon who again started this game with both playing the full 90 minutes and Lucas Piazon scored 2 goals. Gael Kakuta also made his return from injury with 5 minutes left at the end of the game. There was also a cup game for Vitesse this week and their game was against RVVH and again it was only Van Aanholt and Piazon to feature and play the full 90 minutes.
Over in Belgium, Thorgan Hazard played the full 90 minutes for Waregem in their 4-2 win over O-H Leuven. In Italy, Wallace made an appearance as a substitute for Inter in their 7-0 demolition of Sassuolo but did not make it off the bench for the win over Fiorentina. Finally in Europe, Stipe Perica again was a late substitute for NAC Breda in their win over AZ Alkmaar.
Over to England now and Sam Walker was in action for Colchester against Crawley and the game ended in a 1-1 draw. George Saville missed on on Brentford’s defeat to Leyton Orient through injury. Todd Kane is still ever present for Blackburn in the Championship, this time in a 0-0 draw with Huddersfield. Patrick Bamford was unable to continue his goalscoring run this week as MK Dons were beaten 2-1 by Peterborough. Lalkovic still seems to be out of favour at Walsall only starting on the bench and getting on for 25 minutes in their 1-1 draw with Rotherham. Following his loan move, Nathaniel Chalobah went straight into the starting 11 for Nottingham Forest for their game against Doncaster on Saturday with the game finishing in a 2-2 draw but he did not feature in their squad in the Capital One Cup. It was the opposite for Josh McEachran and Watford. Josh did not feature in the weekend league game for Watford but was in the stating 11 for their cup defeat to Norwich, unfortunately Josh got injured in the first half and had to go off. Zola is hopeful though that it is not bad and Josh will be involved for the weekend.
Finally in the Premier League and Victor Moses so far is an ever present for Liverpool, this week playing the full 90 against Southampton in the league and then in mid week in the Capital One Cup against Manchester United, he played until the 82nd minute. Romelu Lukaku made a scoring start to his Everton loan having been subbed on at half time, he scored the winner for Everton late on getting knocked out in the process. He recovered to carry on and finish the game however and was then able to play the full 90 minutes in their Capital One Cup defeat at the hands of Fulham.
In the coming week, the U18s are in action, first up playing at home against Middlesbrough and will be hopeful of continuing a good run of form. Meanwhile before next Sunday’s home tie against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge, the U19s are playing a UEFA Youth League tie away to Steaua Bucharest on Tuesday. Again, this game is now confirmed as being shown LIVE on Chelsea TV which is good news as they look to make it 2 wins from 2 in the group stage after the victory over Basel.
