LONG-TERM DEAL FOR BERTRAND

[DONI. 1,291]

LONG-TERM DEAL FOR BERTRAND

Ryan Bertrand has committed his future to Chelsea today (Wednesday) as he signed a five-year contract.

The 23-year-old England international will now continue preparations with the national squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine, before returning to Chelsea where he has already started two of our three league games this season.

Bertrand originally joined the Chelsea Academy in July 2005 from Gillingham and impressed sufficiently to be part of the first team's pre-season tour to America a year later. Having played for our youth and reserve teams, a period of loan moves followed when he gained vital first team experience. Bournemouth, Oldham, Norwich, Reading and Nottingham Forest were ports of call and he amassed over 150 appearances at Championship level prior to making his Chelsea debut as a substitute versus Birmingham in April 2011.

As understudy to Ashley Cole last season, he played 15 games although it was directly in front of Cole on the pitch in Munich that the last and most significant of those appearances was made. Making his European debut, Bertrand took on a wide-midfield role in the Champions League Final, reverting to a position he had played in his youth.

Having been selected for England through the youth age groups, and for the GB side at the London 2012 Olympics, Bertrand made his senior England debut in a friendly against Italy last month.

He has made 15 starts for Chelsea with a further four substitute appearances.

[Amblève. 4,995]

One of my favourite players right now!

Long overdue that one of our youth products makes it here at Chelsea. I hope he can make a name for himself in the future.

[Hutcho 8,443]

great news... long term deal for one of our long term players... Our and englands' future permanent left back... good to hear, it took a long time to break through but now he has, its good to not see our young talent go elsewhere.

[ZanSnake 1,211]

Second best left back at theclub, and is defensively sound enough to play in midfeild or wing on the left

[Leif 6,006]

He doesn't ask to be played on the left wing/midfield. I feel sorry for him when he's sometimes slated on here for being played there. Now that that's out of the way -

I can't wait to see him play more games at left-back for us.

I knew when he was on-loan at Norwich City in, I believe, the 2008 season(?) that he'd make it in some form here.

He's definitely amongst my favourite players. I hope he stays with us a longgg time.

[didierforever 7,349]

totally deserves it.

[Krypt 241]

Great news , been rewarded for the faith RDM has put in him. Hope he continues improving!

[DONI. 1,291]

New Ashley Cole !

[Jype 6,398]

Great news.

[Jase 43,479]

Fantastic news! Though it is just an improvement on the contract terms from the one he signed last year.

[Santiago. 1,500]

IF he ever leaves this club somebody will die

[We Hate Scouse 10,286]

Fully deserved.

[Cosmin 2,484]

One of the few good news lately.

[termninja 5,290]

Good to hear it.

[Duppy Conqueror 1,494]

i doubted he would ever make it with us. not based on his own game just he kept on proving himself on loan and time and time again he would be shipped back out,he was ready for this atleast 2 years ago imo

hats off to Ryan for being so determined that he was gonna make it with CFC that he did against the odds. not all our youngsters have been able to do that. hats off to Roberto for having the balls to play him ahead of Malouda in such a crucial game as the European cup final.

i think it`s pretty clear now that the battle between Bertrand and P.V.A. has been won by Ryan and if Patrick makes it here it`s either as Ryans deputy or at another position. not so long ago it looked like a battle that could go either way.

[Leif 6,006]

Undoubtedly someone will say "Sturridge could learn something from Bertrand.", but really, they're in very different situations.

I personally feel that after the Bolton loan, even though he was a big hit during AVB's tenure here, Sturridge needed another loan.

I'm sure our season would have turned out very different if he did go back out on loan, but I believe it would've been best for his personal progression.

Some team like Wolves or even a team like Brighton could've been good for him.

[chelseathebest 150]

Great news! He is our future!

[OneMoSalah 8,778]

Great. Hats off to this lad, had patience and is now being rewarded for it. If only Scott Sinclair, Fabio Borini and a few others had the patience this kid had. Absolutely delighted for him, great news.