Traore signs new Chelsea deal and joins Ajax on loan

Bertrand Traore has signed a new three-year contract at Chelsea and joined Ajax on a season-long loan from the Blues.

The 20-year-old forward is returning to the Netherlands, where he previously had two loan spells at Vitesse Arnhem.

He impressed when he featured for Chelsea last season but the club are keen for him to play regular first-team football this term.

“Yes, it’s confirmed and he’s going to on loan to Ajax,” Blues boss Antonio Conte said.

“He’s a good player, but together the club prefer for him to play and improve.

“We want him to have a season playing every game and then to come back, because he is a good prospect for Chelsea.”

Matic an ‘important player’

Conte was reluctant to confirm reports he has told Nemanja Matic he wants the midfielder to stay at Stamford Bridge.

Juventus reportedly want to sign the Serbian as a replacement for Paul Pogba following the France international’s recent move to Manchester United.

But Conte did say: “I speak with a lot of my players. When you first arrive at a club it is important to do that.

“Nemanja is an important player and he knows this. There isn’t a problem with him. He was and is a Chelsea player.”