Young Blues keeper given long-term deal

Chelsea have handed goalkeeper Jamal Blackman a new five-year contract.

Blackman, 20, was a key player for the Blues team which won the FA Youth Cup in 2012 and has since become a regular for Chelsea’s Under-21 side.

He has also played for England at Under-16, Under-17 and Under-19 levels.

Last year he featured for Chelsea’s first team in an end-of-season friendly against Manchester City in the United States.

More recently, Blackman was his team’s hero as they beat City on penalties at the Etihad Stadium to reach the Under-21 Premier League play-off final.

Another Chelsea youngster, Nigerian defender Kenneth Omeruo, 20, recently signed a four-year deal at Stamford Bridge.