Bertrand Traore, 20, is currently a first team regular for his national team, Burkina Faso having already made 24 appearances, bagging himself 2 goals. Burkina Faso were incredibly close to qualifying for the 2014 FIFA world cup but were denied by a single goal in their final match against Algeria (who made it to the quarter final losing to eventual champions: Germany).
Bertrand Traore made his first senior national team appearance a few days before his 16th birthday in September 2011 where he appeared in a friendly against Equatorial Guinea. Traore had earlier gained international experience at the U17 world cup in 2009 being the youngest player at the tournament. A year later Bertrand Traore became the youngest player ever to feature in the Africa cup of nations final stage.
I really enjoy playing for my national team, My career is still very young, so my most significant moment with the side remains my first game with the national team, in my hometown, against Equatorial Guinea.
Bertrand Traore joined Chelsea as a youth player from French side Auxerre youth ranks where he was instantly sent out on loan to Vitesse Arnhem where he gained some first team experience.
During my loan period, things went very well for me – I ended up being the best goal-scorer of the team. Mourinho asked to have me back in Chelsea. I took it as a reward for the work that I had done.
It is a great pleasure to be back as a Chelsea player. Now it is my ambition to play as many matches as I can, earn some game-time and bring my best to the team.
Traore became the first Burkina Faso international to play in a competitive game for Chelsea after he made substitute appearances against Stoke and Maccabi Tel-Aviv where he had the chance to show his talent in which he did so. Traore has spent most his time at Stamford Bridge on the bench or in the stand’s but he say’s he is content.
When you are as young as me, you are never a mature player. You still need to improve. You learn from being with such great players. What I can already bring to my team is my risk-taking and my ability to be decisive on the field.
“However, I do require a bit of discipline,” he concluded, showing an honesty and humility that should stand this highly rated youngster in good stead as he pursues his goals.
