Chelsea Loan Round-up: John Swift scores; Chalobah plays; other midweek cup action

ENGLAND:

John Swift started his first game under new manager Dean Smith and and scored what seemed to be a late equaliser to draw level with Cardiff in the 86th minute; the Bees lost the game 3-2 at the death.

Here is Swifty's goal:

A quick look at John Swift's goal tonight. #CFC #loanwatch https://t.co/DjYXihn10q

— Chelsea Youth (@chelseayouth) December 15, 2015

Reading continued their abject run of form, losing their fourth game in a row, away to Hull City. Michael Hector played the whole 90 in a defensive midfield role, while Lucas Piazon was an unused substitute.

Middlesbrough, who've been having a quite contrasting season as compared to the Royals, won 1-0 against Burnley and now sit atop the Championship table, level on points with Brighton and Hove Albion. Tomas Kalas returned to the starting line-up and finished the game with the most tackles won (5) and aerial duels won (4).

FRANCE:

Mario Pasalic started AS Monaco's Coupe de la Ligue game against Bordeaux, and had a game to forget. He played a dicey pass to his defender  who couldn't control it, and conceded a goal. Pasalic was then asked to play at right-back in a sudden tactical shift, and struggled in dealing with his opposition winger. Not long after he was briefly down injured and eventually substituted off. His day sounds very Chelsea...

Jeremie Boga started for Rennes in their cup clash against Toulouse as a winger. Having gone a man down after only 16 minutes, Rennes also went into the break trailing by two goals. At half-time, striker Giovanni Sio was taken off for Kamil Grosicki, and Boga was shifted to the center-forward role once again. He won his side a penalty (which was converted), but couldn't help them win; they ultimately lost 1-3.

Here's Boga winning that penalty: pic.twitter.com/US7xVuNhgZ

— Chelsea Youth (@chelseayouth) December 15, 2015

ITALY:

Nathaniel Chalobah was handed his first significant involvement in domestic Italian football, replacing Allan in the 67th minute as Napoli made light work of Hellas Verona to advance to the next round of the Coppa Italia. Signs of progress for young Nathaniel, who has made the most of his limited time on the pitch.

Stipe Perica played the whole 90, as Udinese crashed out of the Coppa Italia with a 2-1 loss to Lazio.

Wallace continues to remain out injured for Carpi. Reports this week emerged of Brazillian side, Gremio wanting to rescue him from his limbo in Italy.

Juventus thrashed Torino 4-0, but without the help of Juan Cuadrado, who was an unused substitute.

OTHERS:

Following their surreal unbeaten run, Borussia Monchengladbach suffered their third straight loss in all competitions, losing 3-4 to Werder Bremen in the DFB Pokal. Andreas Christensen assumed his usual place in defence, as Borussia reverted to playing a four-man back line.

Todd Kane started for NEC Nijmegen, who were upset by their third-tier (Topklasse) opponents, HHC in the KNVB Beker.

Cristian Manea played 45 minutes for Royal Mouscron, who also met their end, in the form of Genk.

Marko Marin started Trabzonspor's victory in the Turkiye Kupasi and performed nutmeg stunts that one should be advised not to try at home.

EXTRAS:

Dominic Solanke spoke to OMROEP Gelderland, talking about his dissatisfaction with his goal tally so far, FC Twente, and about Jose Mourinho's sacking.

"I've scored four goals this year, which is too little. I was hoping to score more for Vitesse, but that is definitely going to come. Scoring is important for strikers and for me. But I myself can develop here, which is the most important. "

"It (FC Twente) was a top team in the Netherlands, now they are struggling. I hope that we can win because of our advantage. But it will not be easy to win against them. If you do not have a good season, the points are important. Twente is therefore hard to fight, it will not be an easy game. "

"We want to go the winter with the last three points this year. Then we rest and we come back in January to fight for the highest place we can get. "

"Both (Chelsea and FC Twente) are top teams, but they do not have their best season. They clearly have enough quality to turn their seasons around, though."

"I heard some guys say that (Mourinho had been sacked). I find it shocking that he's fired."

- Dominic Solanke

Marco van Ginkel insists that the Premier League hasn't yet seen the best of him, and he hopes to follow in the footsteps of his compatriot, Ibrahim Afellay.

"He (Afellay) did well against Man City too, although the whole team did really well that day, and then he was good again at West Ham last week, putting in some dangerous crosses. I'm proud of him, he's doing well. I knew he would come in and make an impact, of course. He's a good player, and has played for very good clubs. He's also had some injuries, but at the moment he's fit and feeling good and I think everyone can see it."

"I don't think you've seen the best of me yet. I think the Premier League is a good competition for me. Of course, you want to play more and show your qualities and I think I can do that. I think I had to score against West Ham, but the rest of my play was okay."

- Marco van Ginkel

An interview with John Swift will be featured in Brentford's matchday programme for their weekend game against Huddersfield town. Here is a little excerpt from it:

"It definitely helps to be around other young and new players. It is not always easy to come into a new team as a loan player. But when I came on against Derby I felt good - and when I started against Rotherham United I felt good too. So I am just pushing on from there. Hopefully I can stay until the end of the season. "

"I played alongside Jack O'Connell at England youth level and he was always a consistent starter. Jack is doing really well; he has waited patiently and has now proved himself. I know Josh McEachran from Chelsea too."

- John Swift