RIP Former Reserve Player Jeffrey Ntuka!
I always keep my eye out for the progress of former Chelsea players at all levels regardless of where they end up.
Therefore it is with great sadness that I learnt that one of our former reserve players Jeffrey Ntuka died last night in a stabbing.
He died in his footballing prime aged just 26 in an incident outside of a nightclub in South Africa.
He spent five years at Chelsea however he spent most of his time at the club on loan at Westerlo.
After leaving Chelsea he joined Kaiserchiefs in South Africa before moving to SuperSport United another South African league side.
It is always tragic when people die so young particularly when they have a talent and have been connected to Chelsea.
Rest In Peace Jeffrey
Categories: Uncategorized Tags: Chelsea Reserves, Jeffrey Ntuka
Chelsea Reserves Humbled by Powerful Wanderers
Ryan Bertrand may have Championship experience but he was humbled along with the other members of the team against Wycombe
Chelsea’s Reserves slumped to their second consecutive heavy defeat during pre-season, in a 5-1 thumping that will deflate the players, fans and management alike.
A blend of raw reserves and a splattering of youth with first team experience took on an experienced Wycombe side.
Chelsea XI:
Walker, B.Clifford, Ince, Deen-Conteh, Bertrand, Cork, C.Clifford, Kaby (Prosenik 59), Lalkovic (Philliskirk 59), Sinclair, Di Santo
It all started well for Chelsea who took the lead through Kaby after just 13 minutes, as he turned in the rebound from a powerful Scott Sinclair shot. However Chelsea went in behind at half time after goals from Ben Strevens and Scott Rendell.
The result was framed in the final quarter of the game, American Jon Paul Pittman took the game by the scruff of the neck with a hat trick that took just 5 second half minutes.
The score was emphatic and gave little to cheer about on first glance, the only consolation being the goal from Kaby and the fact that a late show from Wycombe did not reflect the overall balance of the match,which was closer than the scoreline suggests.
This is a demoralising loss and there is no doubt improvement is needed, but the performances will come, stick with it Chelsea fans.
Categories: Matches Tags: Chelsea lose to Wycombe, Chelsea Reserves, Chelsea Youth Team, Kaby
Essien and McEachran Star As Youth Takes Centre Stage Against Crystal Palace
Josh McEachran in Action for England U17's, he took his chance to shine today
With the World Cup meaning that few of Chelsea’s experienced players were available for selection, the up and coming stars were given a chance to impress Carlo Ancelotti and the fans in the first pre-season friendly of the season.
The game had a typical pre-season tempo, with plenty of opportunity for players on both sides to pass the ball about and find their way into a game that in the end produced few clear cut chances.
Featuring a plethora of substitutions, Chelsea were able to secure victory through a classy piece of link up play on the edge of the area that included a nifty interchange between Franco Di Santo and Josh McEachran that allowed Michael Essien to slot home from 15 yards.
However the result was never the issue, the goalscoring return of Michael Essien is obviously going to grab many of the headlines, but there were many competent performances from the younger players on display.
This gives hope that maybe fewer new signings than expected are required to replace the departed vanguard of Belletti, Ballack and Joe Cole.
Player Selection and Performance Analysis
In goal there was little deviation as the three established goalkeepers were rotated so that each saw some action during the game. However in defence only Alex could be attributed as an experienced senior squad player, he was supported by Patrick Van Aarnholt, Jeffery Bruma and Ryan Bertrand all of whom displayed competence but were denied the chance to shine by the dominance of the Chelsea midfield.
The midfield was anchored by John Obi Mikel who was joined by Michael Essien and the developing talents of Nemanja Matic and Josh McEachran.
Apart from the assured return of Michael Essien it was senior team debutant Josh McEachran who stole the midfield show, looking assured, passing well creating chances and playing a key part in the Michael Essien goal.
Up front Daniel Sturridge looked lively with a clear desire to prove his worth to the management staff, Franco Di Santo did not have a bad game but did little to show that he should be challenging for a first team berth during the season.
As the game went on the substitutions came thick and fast, with 7 of last years reserve and youth teams getting a chance to impress.
The pick of these players was Scott Sinclair who after 3 years of bouncing around the Premiership and lower leagues on loan must feel that this season is his last chance to succeed as a Chelsea player. During his cameo he looked sharp and unafraid to take on defenders, it was this tenacity that should have won his side a penalty, with the referee erroneously deciding that during one mazy run he was tackled outside the penalty area, instead of the actual 2 yards inside the area where the incident took place.
Overall the game was hardly exhilarating, but that is not what such games are about, the players were given a chance to ease into the season, whilst many unknowns impressed during their first high profile appearance in front of the clubs global fan base.
Next up Ajax!
