Vitesse Arnhem, affectionately known as Chelsea B around these parts, wrapped up their season a few days ago with a comeback win against Heerenveen to qualify for next year's Europa League. It's been quite a turnaround for a team that flirted with the Eredivise relegation zone for most of the first half of the season, and much of that turnaround can be put down to the emergence of Bertrand Traore as a genuine goal-threat.
With Traoré at the point of attack Vitesse put down an unbeaten 27 official matches (21 wins and 6 draws) in a row. In between was admittedly lost four times, but in those four occasions the man from Burkina Faso was missing through suspension and international duty.
-source: Telegraaf via Google Translate
The 19-year-old Chelsea loanee scored 17 goals in all competitions last season, 14 of them coming after mid-December. We had known from the very first glimpse of him in that pre-season friendly in Thailand that he could be special and revelations such as Mourinho claiming that the only reason the kid (playing mostly as a winger at the time) had to be loaned out was because of that pesky work permit did not come as a surprise.
"Chelsea is very happy with my development. But I only hear during my holidays which direction [for next season]. I'm ready when the opportunity comes. I'm not afraid to show it at Chelsea."
-Bertrand Traore; source: Telegraaf via Google Translate
Very happy might be an understatement.
"Jose Mourinho is crazy about him anyway and if the opportunity is there, they prefer to take him back."
-Peter Bosz; source: Telegraaf via Google Translate
Which of course leads us to the all-important work permit question. This is where it gets complicated.
As far as I know, Greg Dyke's proposed rule changes regarding work permits will take effect this summer. Exactly when, that I do not know. The FA was supposed to publish the new requirements by May 1st, but all information available on the official site is for last season (2014-15).
New work permit system
Required % of international matches over previous 24 months is determined by the player's National Association's official FIFA ranking:
- FIFA 1-10: 30% and above
- FIFA 11-20: 45% and above
- FIFA 21-30: 60% and above
- FIFA 31-50: 75% and above
Reference period reduced to 12 months for those players aged 21 or under at time of application.
The rule used to be 75% and above for FIFA Top 70 countries, and that's the scenario under which Traore did not qualify last time. Though his international participation has been practically flawless over the past 12 months (excepting injuries, which should not count against him), Burkina Faso are mired in the 60s as far as FIFA rankings are concerned, which means our only recourse would be to appeal to the all-knowing, all-singing, all-shadowy FA Appeals Panel for an exemption. Let's just say that I don't rate our chances of convincing them to give Traore a work permit, especially since they'll be brand new on the job and we would be one of the firsts to apply for something that could undermine Dyke's new policies that are (supposedly) all about his very public aim to help English (or homegrown) prospects flourish in the Premier League.
Regardless, permit or no permit, Traore will be aiming high. Peter Bosz would obviously love to keep him, but if we can't secure a work permit, we would probably look to loan him out to a more challenging league. Traore has proven himself in the Eredivisie; he's ready for something bigger and better.
"I've always looked up to Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto'o. It's my dream to just get such a great career. Although my idol has always been my brother Alain, who is also a professional footballer. He now plays for AS Monaco . Ultimately, it is my goal to be the best African player. Since I work hard for it."
-Bertrand Traore; source: Telegraaf via Google Translate