The winger who survived a Chelsea trial to captain his nation
In short: In 2012, Chelsea officials claimed Bertrand Traoré was never actually a player for them. Yet, the Burkinabé forward would eventually sign a major contract with the Blues, score in the Champions League, and rise to captain the Burkina Faso national team, proving that sometimes, the most uncertain beginnings lead to international leadership.
Traoré's path to professional football was marked by technicalities and unexpected turns. While reports in August 2010 suggested he had joined the Chelsea Academy from Auxerre, the club clarified in January 2012 that he had never been a contracted player, having only appeared once for the youth team in a friendly during a six-week trial. He formally inked a four-and-a-half-year deal with the London side in October 2013.
His development was defined by a series of high-stakes loans and transfers. After finding his footing at Vitesse in the Eredivisie, he moved to Ajax in 2016, where he played every minute of the UEFA Europa League final against Manchester United. His talent eventually commanded a €10 million transfer fee when he joined Lyon in 2017, a move that included a buy-back clause for Chelsea and a 15 percent profit share for the English side.
Beyond the club level, Traoré has been a cornerstone for Burkina Faso since the age of 15. He has represented his country at six Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, including a third-place finish in 2017. His international career is a testament to his longevity, having transitioned from a teenage debutant in 2011 to a senior leader on the pitch.
Despite the volatility of his career—ranging from a missed penalty in the 2020 Coupe de la Ligue final to various moves across the Premier League, La Liga, and Süper Lig—Traoré has remained a consistent presence in professional football, recently joining Wolverhampton Wanderers as a free agent in 2026.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Bertrand Traoré
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