Chelsea defender leaves club on season-long loan

Chelsea defender Tomas Kalas will spend the 2015-16 season on loan at Middlesbrough.

The 22-year-old, who has one cap for the senior Czech Republic national team, also spent part of last season on loan at Boro, though he has only four appearances to his name in a Chelsea shirt, which suggests now that manager Jose Mourinho may not see him as a long-term option for his side.

Kalas, who can play at both centre-back and right-back, will help to fill the void left by new signing Alex Baptiste who suffered a broken leg on his debut.

Chelsea may end up recalling Kalas if need be but for now, the 22-year old will ply his trade with Middlesbrough again, this time on a full season-long loan.

Middlesbrough are hopeful of persuading Patrick Bamford to return to The Riverside next season, HITC Sport understands from sources close to the club.

“Obviously I wanted to be involved (at Wembley)”, he told the club website.

“It’s been easy to adapt because I know the lads”.

‘I think we’re still building the team.

Kalas made his first appearance since returning to Boro in the pre-season friendy against Leyton Orient on Wednesday, coming off the bench at half-time to play the second 45 minutes.

The 21-year-old enjoyed a hugely successful spell with Boro last season, scoring 19 goals and being named Championship Player of the Year, but the campaign ended in disappointment with their play-off final defeat. It’s a mix of everything.