http://www.getbracknell.co.uk/sport/footba...a_talks_stumble

Ryan Bertrand admitted he would be very tempted with a permanent move to Madejski Stadium if parent club Chelsea can’t guarantee him first-team football next season.

The talented left-back is currently in talks with the Blues over an improved deal at Stamford Bridge, but insisted he would only commit his future to them if they offered him a chance to make his name there.

England Under-21 international Bertrand has the most appearances of any outfield Reading players this season, playing in 37 out of Royals’ 39 Championship games, as well as making seven cup appearances.

And he told getreading: “I’m talking to Chelsea at the minute and I need to play first-team football really.

“I can understand if it would be 15 or so games for them in a season, I would need to play some part and hopefully I can do that because that would be my first choice to go back and play there.

“But if they can’t offer me that then I guess I will have to look elsewhere.

"I’ve got a while left on my Chelsea contract, but I’m at that age in my career when decisions need to be made and if they can’t promise me I’ll play some part then I’ll have to look elsewhere.

“I’ve played more than 100 league games now, and for the England Under-21s, so you would think at most clubs you would get a chance in the first team.

“But it’s obviously not the case at Chelsea. There’s a few important decisions that need to be made.â€

The revelations will be music to loyal Royals fans’ ears after last season’s player-of-the-season Chris Armstrong looks to have possibly played his last game for the club after struggling with a knee injury.

When asked if he would consider a switch to Berkshire, Bertrand was enthusiastic about the option.

“I’ve enjoyed my time at Reading and I wouldn’t rule out a move here at all,†he said.

“It’s been really positive of late and I’ve enjoyed myself, and that’s the main thing and if you enjoy it then you shouldn’t change it.

“Chelsea let me know how I’m getting on and follow my progress, but I’m just concentrating on what I’m doing here.â€

For now Bertrand is fully focused on taking on fourth-placed Cardiff City at the City of Cardiff Stadium tomorrow (3pm kick-off).

And he added: “I caught a bit of their game against Forest and thought the draw was a fair result, but they’re just another Championship side in and around us and we know what to expect.

“We deserved to beat them at home and the boys can be confident going into this next one. They would be foolish to underestimate us really, especially with the run that we’ve been on.

“I think, from how things have been going of late, that we’re definitely up there with the better teams in the league and they should be wary.â€

just saw that myself...can't see chelsea caving in to be honest...he's not going to play ahead of cole or zhirkov and van aanholt appears to have the trust of the manager already...he's younger and more willing to bide his time...me thinks bertrand will be sold in the hope of making a profit etc...a shame cos he does look good, but we have seen this happen many times before...without a regular chance how can the academy boys really make the breakthrough

We'd be mugs to let him go, but maybe he's the mug trying to demand first team football at the top club in the country. There again we could have used him this year, let's face it Zhirkov is not a great defender (good going forward). It's a tough one.

This is the guy that kept Kieran Gibbs (30 appearances for Arsenal) out of the Norwhich team right? Not to mention his performances in the Liverpool matches, would be a real shame if he leaves - but he seems maybe a little impatient?

If he's not willing to wait, and perhaps go on loan again, there's not much we can do.

Cole is still, much, much, much, much better than him....and we can't give Yuriy no time.

We'd be mugs to let him go, but maybe he's the mug trying to demand first team football at the top club in the country. There again we could have used him this year, let's face it Zhirkov is not a great defender (good going forward). It's a tough one.

bit harsh on yury...he played pretty well at the back at old trafford and think he's done well since he finally got a regular run of games

I think that given what we paid for Yuri (and his potential from the last few games at any rate), and the fact that Ash still has at least 3 years left in him (hope the latest injury didn't knacker him too much) at top level, Bertrand will most likely leave. It a bit of a waste as Ash would've been a great mentor for him and, had Yuri not come in, could act as a natural replacement for Ash in a couple of years time.

But that's football I guess.

Ryan Bertrand has proved that he can play consistently well at a reasonable level, and I feel that if we were to let him go, we'd live to regret it.

I think Chelsea should offer him a decent contract, whilst assuring him that he would be used in a rotation system, thereby virtually guaranteeing Bertrand around 15-20 first team appearances per season. Ashley Cole will be 30 later this year, and has had a run of injuries, so it's reasonable to assume that he'll miss a fair few games in the remainder of his time at the Bridge. Ryan Bertrand is a ready made replacement, who'd be gaining valuable first team experience as he awaits his chance to become first choice.

As far as I'm concerned, Yuri Zhirkov doesn't come into the equation, his natural position is on the left wing. He's wasted at left-back, but sadly, as long as Ancelotti is in charge, we're not going to be using wingers. This really is a ridiculous situation, because not only have we got great natural wingers like Zhirkov and Malouda, we've also got young Stoch to return in the summer. If we bought a quality right winger and used Stoch as back-up, we could have a great attacking 4-4-2 system if only Ancelotti had the balls to try it.

There has to be some point to the loanee route for youngsters coming through at Chelsea otherwise we might as well keep them all at home and make them come through the Reserve system. Ryan Bertrand is the first player to prove that this method of development works in the Roman era (I had hoped Franco Di Santo was going to be the one, but Blackburn and Big Sam’s style of football seems to have set him back rather than pushed him on) and Ryan's fine [more importantly, complete] season at Reading does give him bargaining power of sorts. Remember too that there is a need for a healthy level of home grown players in the squad under the recent UEFA ruling and this will also strengthen his position.

Clearly, it’s not his fault that Patrick van Aanholt has, to some extent, jumped the loanees queue after a more acceptable [for Newcastle in terms of their walking the Championship] return to the fold, but my main concern over Bertrand is the message it will send out to those in similar circumstances, like Miroslav Stoch and Franco Di Santo, if we let him go after doing all that has been asked of him at Reading. Having already seen the alternative route [of staying put] reap the reward of continual contact with the first team for Jeffery Bruma, there will be many, such as Jack Cork, Liam Bridcutt, Scott Sinclair and, just recently Ben Gordon, who will quickly believe they are on the slower of the two tracks to first team stardom - they may even be on a road to nowhere near it. Indeed, Sinclair’s lack of progress needs to be addressed sooner rather than later and the comparison between him and Bertrand should be stark, not end in contemptable similarity.

I think Bertrand’s form is the key to this little bit of brinkmanship on his part - he knows he’s had almost the perfect loan spell and if that’s not good enough to get him the contract he wants what chance is there for the others? Okay, he may be asking for too much in terms of guarantees, but involvement ‘in 15 or so games’ a season doesn’t strike me as being anything other than the early negotiation tactic of someone who has got so far and would dearly like to take a step further towards the Chelsea first team squad.

Furthermore, you have to say that Bluebeard’s got it spot on regarding any competition from Yuri Zhirkov and I would add that van Aanholt could easily end up as a central defender rather than a left back, thereby leaving a freer route for Ryan as understudy to Ashley in both the Chelsea and England set-ups. Also, the point that has already been made by blizeH (yes, he is better than Kieran Gibbs) and therefore, taking everything into account, there does seem to be a pretty good overall case for making the lad feel wanted rather than letting him go. Can’t really think of a bigger youth policy 'own goal' should we let Reading sign him up.

Edited April 9, 201016 yr by Dorset

Don't do it Ryan, books are nothing but trouble!

Seriously though I think he'd be silly to do anything other than sit tight and try and get himself loaned out to a premiership club - that way he gets first team experience, and keeps his foot in the door at Chelsea while giving himself a chance to show what he can do with regular starts.

Then again, he has Di Santo's shining example to dissuade him from being a loanee again..

This is a really tricky one. As Dorset says, letting someone like Bertrand go would be a horrible signal to promising youth that Chelsea doesn't offer opportunity and call into question the loan set up. I can't blame the younger players for wanting more of a route in. Cork has voiced frustration and I'm pretty sure this summer is a turning point for Mancienne too.

But how could we guarantee Bertrand anything? Not only does the team already have two full internationals, we also have another highly promising left-back coming through. We could blood one (assuming Yuri can be moved into midfield) but two?

One possibility: if those rumours are true and Ashley is looking to La Liga, we could get a bit of cash and make room for both, assuming they have a bit of flexibility. But it would be quite a gamble as Yuri is a bit injury prone and not always rock solid defensively.

Cole is still, much, much, much, much better than him....and we can't give Yuriy no time.

Agree with Cole but to say we should give Yuri time as left back is not exactly being smart. We've seen in recent games that he is'nt the most solid defender in our ranks and to be honest he is more of a winger. I'd be gutted to see Ryan go after what he has achieved at Reading and this could send the worst message to our younger players.

As far as I'm concerned, Yuri Zhirkov doesn't come into the equation, his natural position is on the left wing. He's wasted at left-back, but sadly, as long as Ancelotti is in charge, we're not going to be using wingers. This really is a ridiculous situation, because not only have we got great natural wingers like Zhirkov and Malouda, we've also got young Stoch to return in the summer. If we bought a quality right winger and used Stoch as back-up, we could have a great attacking 4-4-2 system if only Ancelotti had the balls to try it.

aren't we using wingers at the moment?

it's a shame but I can't see him getting the amount of football he'd want. but this is what a good academy is about as much as finding players for the first team- we should be able to sell ryan on for a decent profit if he leaves.

bit harsh on yury...he played pretty well at the back at old trafford and think he's done well since he finally got a regular run of games

Sure he's done a great job, but he doesn't look as comfortable defending as he does in the opponent's third. I didn't mean to put a negative spin on it, I reckon he's good player, but lb is perhaps not his first choice whereas Bertrand seems to be comfortable with the defensive duties from what I've seen.

aren't we using wingers at the moment?

No

so malouda and joe cole are playing where if not predominately out wide?

so malouda and joe cole are playing where if not predominately out wide?

Not as true winger really, more like wide forwards.... :angry:

heh- I'd agree. takes me back to a long back and forth with just over whether robert pires was a winger (he wasn't).

my point would be for a while we've played at least one player and often two in attack who spend a lot of the game in wide positions.

heh- I'd agree. takes me back to a long back and forth with just over whether robert pires was a winger (he wasn't).

my point would be for a while we've played at least one player and often two in attack who spend a lot of the game in wide positions.

I agree with you, he wasnt. Im not sure how to feel about that, the agreeing with you i mean. :angry:

so malouda and joe cole are playing where if not predominately out wide?

Wide yes, wing no.

You know you're wrong, young fella me lad (yet again), now go and get the drinks in! :D

I've never been aware of being wrong, and you know it. and as I told loz, you get your own silly tropical drink with an umbrella in it!

Lets see break this down

First team squad fullbacks

ACole

Bosingwa

Ivan (more CB)

Paulo F

Belleti

Wingers

Joey

Malouda

Zhirkov

Kalou (Im saying winger as this is where he has been playing his best)

I say we get rid of Paulo/Belleti/Carvalho switch Ivan to CB with Alex/JT and Bruma/Hutchinson as the "youth replacements" or w/e and bring Bertrand on. I mean in the FA/Carling cup we can offer him those games, as well as group stage CL games once qualification is secure/vs an easier draw.

With Wingers I'd say get rid of Kalou and move Zhirkov up.

As stated, its almost more important to keep Bertrand for the message it says about our willingness to work/develope youth, as opposed to just keeping the player himself. He has earned a chance IMO, lets give it to him and lets cash out on some players to help fund whatever purchases may come in this summer.

We have an old squad, there shouldnt be much problem making room for a few young faces. Also considering that we compete well in all competition its shouldnt be hard to give him 15-20 matches when you figure in possible injuries it makes that even more viable. This year we have 55 competitive matches in all cups/league/europe (56 if we beat AV), we can give him some games in the domestic cups aswell as in the CL qualifiers (once we've secured qualification or vs weaker sides) and then a sprinking of league appearances....it can work, we just have to get rid of some of the old bodies.....bodies with less of a future and likely to bring us back more money!

If he would have left us, it would be a big loss for us because it is a good player!

If he would have left us, it would be a big loss for us because it is a good player!

AH, I see what your English teacher means about the Conditional:

If he LEFT us, it would be a great loss for us, because HE is a good player.

THEN - afterwards, when we are SURE he is not leaving, we can say:

If he HAD LEFT us, it WOULD HAVE BEEN a great loss for us, because He is a good player.

P.S. a GREAT loss sounds better than a BIG loss.

HE! OF COURSE!

I WROTE "IT"??? OH DEAR!! TERRIBLE MISTAKE!

Edited April 10, 201016 yr by Mikstaw