• Get the EA Sports PGA 14 Package
    Get the EA Sports PGA 14 Package
  • Give the Gift of SI
    Give the Gift of SI
SI.com Home
SOCCER
Posted: Wednesday September 5, 2012 5:58AM ; Updated: Wednesday September 5, 2012 10:50AM

Bertrand signs new 5-year deal with Chelsea

Decrease font Decrease font
Enlarge font Enlarge font

LONDON (AP) -- England defender Ryan Bertrand signed a new five-year contract with Chelsea on Wednesday, four months after rising to prominence for the European champion at the end of last season.

The 23-year-old Bertrand finally lived up to his promise at the English Premier League giants last season, and was rewarded with a starting spot in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich on the left of midfield - despite typically being the understudy to Ashley Cole at left back.

He was then selected by Britain for the Olympic football tournament this summer and was picked by manager Roy Hodgson in his last two England squads.

Bertrand has started two of Chelsea's three Premier League games this season and is seen as the long-term replacement for Cole at Stamford Bridge, although he may find his immediate future is in midfield.

Meanwhile, Florent Malouda, the man Bertrand has effectively replaced in the plans of Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo, took to Twitter to claim he has been banished from training with the first team.

The France midfielder posted a picture of the headquarters of Chelsea's Under-21 squad, saying in a message alongside it: "This is where I'll train for my last season with the blues !!!''

The 32-year-old Malouda hasn't played once for Chelsea this season and was left out of its squad for the group-stage campaign in the Champions League.

Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

 
SI.com
Hot Topics: LeBron James Celtics-Clippers Pavel Datsyuk Venus Williams Evan Gattis Steve Gleason Boston Bruins
TM & © 2013 Time Inc. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
Terms under which this service is provided to you. Read our privacy guidelines, your California privacy rights, and ad choices.
SI CoverRead All ArticlesBuy Cover Reprint