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With training getting underway yesterday at Cobham, we're getting a chance to see many players getting their first taste of life under Jose Mourinho. While training continues in London for many of those in contention for the first team, many of the U18 and U21 players are heading off to New York today. It's notable, though, that their primary center forward will not be making the trip.
Islam Feruz is again training with the first team today and doesn't appear to be heading to the USA with the U21s. Asia tour beckons...
— Chelsea Youth (@chelseayouth) July 9, 2013
Mourinho giving Feruz some instruction this morning: http://t.co/OMKfDCVI99 #CFC
— Chelsea Youth (@chelseayouth) July 9, 2013
With Chelsea so far coming up empty in their attempts to acquire a striker, it would seem like a prudent thing to do. Feruz will almost certainly see some minutes on the pre-season tour of Asia (Fernando Torres has some additional time off due to the Confederations Cup), and he's probably outgrown the U21 level at this point. If the youngster isn't going to remain with the club to get some first team opportunities this season, it would make a good deal of sense to assure he's getting first team minutes on loan.
Sky Sports is also talking about Feruz this afternoon, mentioning that he and the club are in talks about an extension to his current deal. Feruz is currently on a 3-year professional deal which expires in 2015, but would be eligible under FIFA regulations to sign a 5-year deal when he turns 18 in September. Because of this, I'd imagine we won't actually see pen put to paper until the player's birthday, as any deal before that point could not extend beyond a maximum of three years. It's good to know we're talking about it though, and hopefully we hear the same sort of thing about Nathaniel Chalobah pretty soon.
