Tomas Kalas heading to the Riverside Stadium after returning from the Bundesliga.
Premier League leaders Chelsea have today confirmed that young Czech Republic international defender Tomas Kalas has joined high flying Championship outfit on loan, after he returned from a disappointing spell at Cologne in the first half of the season that saw Kalas struggle to break into the Bundesliga side’s first team picture.
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Kalas is best known amongst Chelsea fans for his performance in the 2-0 victory at Anfield during the closing stages of the 2013/14 season, that helped to deny Liverpool the title, but he has otherwise not been close to the first team picture at Stamford Bridge and has previously had a spell on loan at Vitesse Arnhem.
He will now join up with Blues manager Jose Mourinho’s former Real Madrid assistant Aitor Karanka, who is currently in charge of Middlesbrough, with the Spaniard having led his side to fourth in the Championship table and very much into the thick of the promotion race.
Kalas will link up with other Chelsea loanees Kenneth Omeruo, who he could well partner at the heart of defence, and prolific striker Patrick Bamford at the Riverside Stadium, whilst Karanka has also had Blues goalkeeper Jamal Blackman on loan during the course of the season.