After a few impressive appearances off the substitutes bench, Bertrand Traore seems set to become a star for Chelsea FC.
People have questioned whether Chelsea’s young and talented players will ever break through to the first team squad. Fans have cried out for Ruben Loftus-Cheek to start more games but now there’s a new name on the tip of everyone’s tongue…Bertrand Traore.
The 20-year-old Burkina Faso international is quickly making a name for himself at Stamford Bridge after scoring three goals in his last three substitute appearances. And the quite crazy and brilliant statistic about all three strikes are that they have all been the fifth goal in 5-1 victories over MK Dons, Newcastle United and Manchester City respectively.
Traore’s career has unfolded in bizarre circumstances as most of his youth career at Chelsea was spent as a trialist before making his first notable impact in Chelsea’s pre-season tour of Asia under former boss Jose Mourinho. He played three games on that tour and Chelsea desperately wanted to sign him. This wish became a reality when the youngster agreed a deal to sign for the Blues in October 2013 and put pen to paper on a four year contract at the start of the 2014 January transfer window. He admitted that signing for the West Londoners was “a dream come true” and that he learnt a great deal working with the senior players in Asia.
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Chelsea loaned Traore out the day after they signed him to dutch side Vitesse Arnhem where he joined several other Blues loanees including Lucas Piazon in a deal that saw him there until the end of the 2013-14 season. After impressing at Vitesse, he continued his loan spell at the club through to the end of the 2014-15 season. Traore began his Vitesse career playing out wide on the right or left before becoming more of a central striker and he relished this role as he was scoring goals for fun including two in a 4-0 victory over Ajax in the Dutch Cup.
Internationally, Traore represents Burkina Faso for whom he made his senior team debut aged just 15. Since then he’s played 24 times for his country and scored two goals. He’s played in two editions of the Africa Cup Of Nation already and has won the African U-17 Championship beating Rwanda in the final.
When returning to Chelsea in the summer of 2015, Traore received a work permit which meant he could now represent Chelsea at first team level. He’s been part of the squad this season and has made a few appearances off the substitutes bench since Guus Hiddink took over.
Hiddink seems impressed by Traore so far having praised him for his performance a few weeks ago for the Under 21s against QPR which was also watched by owner Roman Abramovich. The Blues owner has been keen to see these youngsters progress into the first team and with Hiddink willing to give them a chance, we could see more players of Traore’s calibre break into the first-team squad.
Despite this, it was reported a few weeks ago that FIFA are probing the transfer of Bertrand Traore. It is alleged that he played at under-18 level for Chelsea aged 16 which is a breach in regulations and it could mean Chelsea face a transfer ban.
Chelsea insist they have broken no rules and claim that Traore was able to play in friendly games and featured in the game at Arsenal in October 2011. Chelsea also claimed in a statement that “Bertrand Traore was registered by Chelsea FC in January 2014 in compliance with FA and Premier League Rules. Prior to that date, he was party to an option agreement which enabled the club to acquire his registration in January 2014. The option agreement was registered with, and approved by, both The FA and the Premier League.”
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The FIFA probe just seems a small mishap in what is sure to be a long and fantastic career in the blue of Chelsea for Bertrand Traore. The forward is already making himself one of the fan favourites with supporters chanting his name in the last few weeks.