Soccer-Toure shortlisted for African Footballer of the Year title

By Mark Gleeson CAPE TOWN, Jan 1 (Reuters) - Yaya Toure remained on course to be named African Footballer of the Year for a record-equalling third successive time after being named on Wednesday as one of the three finalists for the award to be handed out later this month. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) cut the list of candidates for the 2013 award down from 10, with Toure up against his Ivory Coast teammate Didier Drogba and Chelsea's Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel. A poll of national team coaches from all 54 African countries will decide the winner, who will be named at a gala ceremony in Lagos on Jan. 9. Among those dropped from the list were Mohamed Aboutrika, the veteran Egyptian midfielder who in November steered his club Al Ahli to a fifth Champions League successes inside a decade.



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Bertrand Traore: Chelsea sign teenage Burkina Faso midfielder

Chelsea complete a deal for 18-year-old midfielder Bertrand Traore on the opening day of the January transfer window.



via Latest Stories, Video, and Commentary about Chelsea | BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25566553

Chelsea complete signing of Burkina Faso starlet Bertrand Traore

• 18-year-old signs four-and-a-half year deal

• Midfielder impressed during pre-season trial

Chelsea have formally completed the signing of Burkina Faso midfielder Bertrand Traore.

The 18-year-old agreed to join the Blues in October 2013 from Association Jeunes Espoirs De Bobo-Dioulasso in his home country and has now put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half year deal.

Traore is a full international having made his debut in September 2011 a few days before his 16th birthday, and he made one substitute appearance at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

The youngster impressed on trial during Chelsea's pre-season tour of Asia in the summer and played a part in all three games, scoring in Malaysia and in Indonesia.

"I was very happy [with how the trial went]. It was a good experience with all the senior players and I learned a lot from them," he said. "I was very proud, so it was a dream for me to be there every day and playing games. Of course I was a little bit nervous but after two or three days I was okay.

"Jose Mourinho spoke a lot during training and he is one of the best managers, maybe the best in the world. He is a very good person and it is a dream for me to work with him. I can now say I am living a dream.

"My favourite players are Juan Mata, Mesut Özil and Eden Hazard. They're very good players and I am trying to be like them. At Chelsea I look to follow the way of some African legends like Didier Drogba, Michael Essien and now Samuel Eto'o."

• Chelsea


• Transfer window

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Chelsea complete signing of Burkina Faso starlet Bertrand Traore

• 18-year-old signs four-and-a-half year deal

• Midfielder impressed during pre-season trial

Chelsea have formally completed the signing of Burkina Faso midfielder Bertrand Traore.

The 18-year-old agreed to join the Blues in October 2013 from Association Jeunes Espoirs De Bobo-Dioulasso in his home country and has now put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half year deal.

Traore is a full international having made his debut in September 2011 a few days before his 16th birthday, and he made one substitute appearance at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

The youngster impressed on trial during Chelsea's pre-season tour of Asia in the summer and played a part in all three games, scoring in Malaysia and in Indonesia.

"I was very happy [with how the trial went]. It was a good experience with all the senior players and I learned a lot from them," he said. "I was very proud, so it was a dream for me to be there every day and playing games. Of course I was a little bit nervous but after two or three days I was okay.

"Jose Mourinho spoke a lot during training and he is one of the best managers, maybe the best in the world. He is a very good person and it is a dream for me to work with him. I can now say I am living a dream.

"My favourite players are Juan Mata, Mesut Özil and Eden Hazard. They're very good players and I am trying to be like them. At Chelsea I look to follow the way of some African legends like Didier Drogba, Michael Essien and now Samuel Eto'o."

• Chelsea


• Transfer window

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via Football: Chelsea | theguardian.com http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jan/01/chelsea-complete-bertrand-traore-signing

VIDEO: I have Chelsea regrets - Hasselbaink

Former Premier League top scorer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink shares regrets over his Chelsea departure with Dan Walker on the Football Focus forum.



via BBC Sport - Football http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25536568

Traore seals Chelsea move

Chelsea have officially completed the transfer of attacking midfielder Bertrand Traore.



via Sky Sports | Football News http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11661/9096375/

Traore seals Chelsea move

Chelsea have officially completed the transfer of attacking midfielder Bertrand Traore.



via Sky Sports | Football News http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9096375/