Middlesbrough Football Club announced the signing on loan of Tomáš Kalas from Chelsea Football Club yesterday, with the Czech international previously on loan at recently promoted Bundesliga side FC Köln. Kalas, while on loan at Köln, made no appearances in the time that he spent at the club.
However, Middlesbrough acquired Kalas with the intention to make his time worthwhile, with him already within a day making his first appearance for the club against Reading Football Club that ended in a 0-0 draw at Madejski Stadium. The fourth consecutive clean sheet leaves Middlesbrough at fourth in the FL Championship (44 pts). Kalas contributed with a challenging cross and maintained a solid defensive performance.
"“We have to learn and improve. Yes it’s good news to keep clean sheets because we’re showing we’re a consistent team, but football is about goals and winning games," Middlesbrough manager and former Spanish player Aitor Karanka stated after the game.
On the other hand, Chelsea remain top of the Barclays Premier League with a 2-0 win against Newcastle United home at Stamford Bridge. Oscar and Diego Costa both score to secure the vital three points to go ahead of Manchester City, who drew 1-1 at Goodison Park against Everton.
Chelsea (49 pts) are now sitting two points over Manchester City (47 pts) through 21 games so far this season. Manchester City were missing star Ivorian central midfielder Yaya Toure, who is away playing in the African Cup of Nations for Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast).