'Youngsters get no chance at Chelsea!' - Bertrand Traore hits out at Blues for agreeing Ajax loan deal

Future: Bertrand Traore signed a new three-year deal at Chelsea in August but was then sent on loan to Ajax
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Simon Johnson3 November 2016

Bertrand Traore is mystified by Chelsea’s decision to loan him out to Ajax this season.

Traore, who scored four goals in 16 appearances last term, looked certain to be in the squad this year after playing in the first five pre-season games under new manager Antonio Conte.

Chelsea agreed a season-long loan with Ajax instead, leaving them with just have two recognised strikers — Diego Costa and Michy Batshuayi — to choose from.

Traore, 21, said: “I felt, and feel, that I am ready for Chelsea. I did not see the loan overall [picture]. Why did I play so much in pre-season?

“Why was I allowed to participate so often under Guus Hiddink [last season]? Why do young players get no real chance at Chelsea?

“It’s good for the composition of the squad if it is also home to a couple of talented youngsters.”

Conte has picked youngsters Nathaniel Chalobah, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ola Aina and Dominic Solanke in his squads on a fairly regular basis.

Traore, who has scored two goals in 10 games for Ajax, is now focused on making a good impression in Holland in the hope he can return to Chelsea next year.

The Chelsea players out on loan

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He added: “I want to win all there is to win with Ajax and to be important for the team.”

Meanwhile, long-term Chelsea target, Thiago Maia, wants to join Paris Saint-Germain.

Chelsea looked at signing the Santos star, who impressed for Brazil at the Olympics, and continue to monitor him.

Maia, 19, said: “A lot of players say they want to play for Real Madrid or Barcelona but I identify myself with PSG.”

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