I am talking about the all change and re-structure of the Reserve and Youth teams setup as Mick McGivern has left the Reserve team and joined the first-team coaching set-up and Brendan Rodgers has now become Reserve team coach from being Academy coach.

So who has become the new Academy you may well ask? Well. Ruud Kaiser has become Academy coach, joining Chelsea from the Netherlands National set-up where he had coached for the last seven years and involved with the U21's, U14s to U19s and even coached the U17s to the final of the European Championships and to third place in the World Championships. Ruud was also involved in the development of a certain Arjen Robben. (Probably teaching him how to dive no doubt!!!).

In his first game in charge, Ruud coached the Academy to a 3-0 friendly win against Luton Town in the heat yesterday with the goals coming from Shaun Cummings, triallist Ben Sahar and winger Tomi Saarelma.

Sam Hurrell got involved in the game as a substitute as various other unnamed triallists did as well. Two first year scholars both sixteen played the whole game. They were: right-back Nano Ofori and central midfielder Tommy Taiwo.

Whilst the Chelsea World Cup elite, well most of them anyway, are still on their well-deserved break, Jose has given the opportunity for the following list of youngsters to take part in first team training. They are 19 yr old Jimmy Smith, 18 yr old Michael Mancienne, 16 yr old Sergio Tejera (recently signed from Espanyol), 20 yr old Goalkeeper Yves Makabu-Ma Kalamby and 18 yr olds Jonas Elmer and James Simonds.

Jon Obi Mikel was finally granted his work permit after a long and protracted transfer from Lyn Oslo via Manchester United.

The Reserves have announced their pre-season fixtures today and they start at Walton and Hersham on Thursday 27th July kicking off at 7.45pm. The match is a testimonial for former Walton and Hersham Captain and Manager, Alan Dowson. Prior to that there is a Chelsea Legend's v Alan Dowson's All Star XI match which kicks off at 6.45pm.

Other Reserve fixtures are away to Cheshunt on August 2nd, away at Hampton & Richmond on August 8th and at Westerlo in Belgium on August 15th.

The 2006/07 season's eagerly awaited home shirt and full kit has finally been revealed and you can get full details by going to the official site. If you are a member or a season ticket holder, you should have received a broadsheet in the post this morning heralding the new kit launch!!

COME ON CHELSEA!!

41 YEARS A BLUE!!