Chelsea: Bertrand Traore finally granted work permit and will join first team on pre-season tour

Chelsea youngster Bertrand Traore will have the chance to force his way into Jose Mourinho's first-team plans after being granted a work permit allowing him to join the senior squad for the pre-season tour of the United States.

Betrand, 19, signed a four-and-a-half year contract at Stamford Bridge in January 2014 and has spent the past 18 months on loan at Vitesse Arnhem in the Dutch top flight, where he struck 17 goals in all competitions last season.

His failure to win a work permit had prevented the forward from linking up with his parent club but the Guardian reports the player is now free to move to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea reportedly reapplied for his permit due to Traore's regular involvement for Burkina Faso, who he represented at the African Cup of Nations in January.

Revised work permit regulations that came into effect on 1 May state a player's national team must be within the top 50 of Fifa's world rankings, with the applicant needing to have played in over 75% of senior competitive matches in the past two years.

Under the reformed rules, Burkina Faso's ranking of 66<sup>th would not have been enough for Traore to receive a permit. However, Chelsea lodged their application before the new rules were implemented, when players for teams in the top 70 were eligible. Having featured in over 75% of his country's matches when available, Traore meets the requirements.

He will now join up with Mourinho's squad for their tour of the US, which begins on 15 July with games against New York Red Bulls, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona.

Traore played a pivotal role in ensuring Vitesse earned qualification for the 2015-16 Europa League campaign last season, with manager Peter Bosz revealing just how highly rated the youngster is in west London.

He told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf: "Jose Mourinho is crazy about him. If the opportunity is there, they prefer to take him back."