EskWeston

Absolutely, Connor has an incredible work rate and he has an eye for the spectacular goal. Remember a fair bit of hype about him when we signed him even though he stayed in ireland for a couple of years. Looks like that hype has turned out to be well justified.

PROMISING IRISH teenager Conor Clifford is looking to finalise a new contract with Chelsea after Carlo Ancelotti delayed a loan move so he can stay with the first team until Christmas.The highly-rated Dubliner, who captained last year's FA Youth Cup-winning team, had expected to be sent out for first-team experience in this transfer window but Blues manager Ancelotti wants the midfielder to stick around. "When I go back I'm looking to sign a new contract," said Clifford, who was a member of the Irish U-21 team that enjoyed a 5-0 win over Estonia on Tuesday night. "I've been involved in a few pre-season games and Ancelotti doesn't want me to go on loan yet. He wants me to stay and train with the first team and get experience -- maybe then go out at Christmas. "My contract is up at the end of the season, so I'm looking at sorting out a contract when I go back." Clifford admits that the idea of going elsewhere to play senior games did appeal, but he views Ancelotti's decision as a positive with a view towards his long-term prospects. "I was expecting to do my pre-season and then go out straightaway, but the gaffer didn't want me to do that so I was delighted," said the 18-year-old. "It's good to stay around and train with the best players in the world." Chelsea are under pressure to promote youngsters from their academy, after investing heavily in youth development in recent years. They are struggling to find their quota of eight home-grown players for their Premier League squad of 25. Clifford now counts as home-grown, although he doesn't have to be included in the 25 as he is under the age of 21 and can, therefore, be drafted in at any stage. Source: Irish Independant

2 England U21 internationals and we loan them to the Championship, not what i wanted to see at all. Dissapointed

Quite a few reports of a deal being close to agreement, all parties met yesterday to discuss terms if we are to believe reports.................

Still going for 5pm tommorow, lol.... it's the Chelsea way

May possibly come off the bench, but even that isn't very likely. Having not trained with the team at all yet i doubt Carlo will chuck him in.

Who knows what this kid is really like and how or where he plays but i am not sure on what the regulations would be on bringing a 14 year old over from Burkina Faso???

VERY excited to see this resurfancing again, although not too suprised considering we did make 1 bid already. I would happily pay the £29m Santos are asking for, you get 1 chance to sign players like this and we have missed out a couple of times now (Robinho and Pato to name just 2) and this time it should be us to sign and bring through the next exciting Brazilian. If the deals for Neymar and Ramires go through we are looking in very very good shape for the new season.

Hmmm, maybe i had the time and day right, just the wrong week I am pretty sure we can all agree that this deal is done! But until the deal is announced i am sure we will all just keep expecting the worst....

The preference for England (mistakingly) has always been to try and get the best out of Gerrard than of Lampard. We are probably the only country that would not focus on getting the best out of one of the best ever goalscoring midfielders...............

Had a solid game after a nervous start so i understand. Excellent for him though and i really hope we see some steady progression from him as he works his way towards more and more first team games. Being still only just 18 he has a lot of time on his side to really make that step.

Our wage bill will have dropped massively with all the departures, and the new arrivals will not be on the same sort of salries thats for sure. Plus if we are bringing through youngsters then again we only have small wages. Good steps for sure.

Personally i don't think Kalou will "improve" now, certainly he can be an effective player for us still but i think is days of improvement are over.

Not at all would be fairly accurate i am sure

This is actually a pretty big deal. To be offering trials to boys from the Football in the Community schemes shows that not only is the scheme working to help young boys lives but given the right application and skill they could find themselves on trial at Chelsea's academy when they would never have got picked up before.

A number of young participants on Chelsea's anti-crime 'Kickz' initiative have been offered trials at the club after they impressed on the football-based initiative. Joseph Felix from the Westminster programme, Glen Kamara from Kensington and Chelsea and Troy Timothy from Hammersmith and Fulham impressed the coaches and Chelsea scouts with their footballing ability, their attitude and their hard work. The Kickz project is helping to divert participants away from many of the social problems facing young people, often in some of the most deprived areas in the country. Chelsea now deliver six Kickz projects to over 1,200 young people three times a week in London as well as providing similar social inclusion initiatives in Surrey and Essex. The projects use the power and appeal of football to build safer, stronger, more respectful communities through the development of young people's potential. They combine football coaching three nights a week in some of the country's most disadvantaged areas alongside a range of educational workshops and opportunities to gain qualifications and increase employability. 'The lads have given their all and their hard work has been rewarded,' said Kickz project manager Daniel GIll. 'They've worked really hard not only at their game but at turning their lives around and these trials will show them and everyone else on the programme that if you work hard and apply yourselves opportunities in life do exist.' Source: Chelsea FC

Yup me too, quality cover therem and can add Hutchinson and Van Aanholt as full back cover options too.

Has to be his "assist" for JT in the Barca game Also loved his goal against the spuds. has been a brilliant player for Chelsea over the last 6 years.

Bruma will NOT become a right back. No idea why he was moved there during the CS, i guess the logic may have been he will less vulnerable at right back, but he needs to be playing at Centre back where he is most comfortable.

It is possible for sure, but with Carlo also confirming that Bruma will be involved this season can we have both of them around for the CB position? I am not sure..................

Santos can't reject our bids because of the City clause. What it means is that if they accept an offer for him from anyone, City are to offered the same terms. So if we agree a fee of £20m for him then City have the option to have a bid accepted for the same amount. At the end of the day it would go down to the player, and i don't think Neymar would choose to go to City.

The encouraging thing about a deal for Neymar is that we have actually already made a bid (if santos are to be belived) no reason why we shouldn't go back again, especially as if we wanted to we just trigger his release clause.

Wing options we have Kalou, Anelka, Malouda, Kakuta and Sturridge too. Would still like us to sign Neymar but if we don't then i think we have enough to carry us through, considering it is the same players that scored a record number of goals last season

Would be amazed to see us sign a centre back. We will be linked because the press are so thick that they see us sell a centre back and just assume we would sign a replacement. But with Terry, Alex, Ivanovic and Bruma we are well covered, not to mention Hutchinson and Mancienne if need be.

Still keeping my fingers crossed for this one to go through. It is a lot of money being talked about but for some players it is worth it, look how much Pato is worth to AC Milan now, and how much Kaka was sold for and Robinho ect...