Chelsea stutter as Turnbull’s blunders hand Ajax victory

(AP)

Chelsea's pre-season tour to the Netherlands and Germany got off to an inauspicious start as a calamitous error by goalkeeper Ross Turnbull helped Martin Jol's Ajax to a comfortable 3-1 win in Amsterdam.

Jol, who is to remain in the Netherlands after his employers refused to release him to take over as Fulham manager, would have been delighted by the positive start his side made against the Premier League champions and they were rewarded with an early goal.

Former Feyenoord youngster Jeffrey Bruma attempted to clear a cross in the box but his header struck keeper Turnbull on the arm and flew into the net.

Daniel Sturridge then scored an excellent equaliser for Carlo Ancelotti's side, who were again without their World Cup contingent, as a loose ball broke to him around 25 yards out and the England Under-21 international produced a wonderful controlled finish.

But then Turnbull failed to deal with a long punt downfield by Dutch international keeper Maarten Stekelenburg, losing the ball as he slid towards the edge of his area to allow Siem de Jong to slot home into the empty net and give the hosts a 2-1 interval lead.

Korea's Suk Hyun-jun then sealed the win in the final minute as he tapped in Daley Blind's cross for the Eredivisie side

A promising striker at another side currently in pre-season tour action, Manchester United's Danny Welbeck, accepts he is likely to go out on loan to a Premier League club in the coming season. The United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, says both Welbeck and midfielder Tom Cleverley have good futures but need regular football at another top-flight team.

Sunderland have already expressed an interest in Welbeck, who had a spell on loan at Preston last season before suffering a knee injury, which needed an operation.

He has made a bright start to United's five-match summer tour, which takes in Canada, the United States and Mexico.

The 19-year-old Manchester-born forward scored in the victory against Celtic in Toronto last week and followed that display by setting up Gabriel Obertan for the winner in midweek when Philadelphia Union were beaten.

Welbeck insists he is content to go along with any short-term career plans Ferguson may have for him. Welbeck said: "My main aim is to be part of the first team set-up, but I am happy to go on loan if the manager wants me to. I just want to keep playing games and improving.

"I feel I have improved a lot over the last couple of years in particular. I have learnt so much during that time, particularly the importance of mental strength on and off the pitch. I just want to keep improving and striving to show everyone what I can do. I am really pleased with how the tour has gone for me so far and I am happy with my performances. I have got to keep going and continue to get my fitness up." Welbeck says it is a "privilege" to be around senior outfield players like Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Dimitar Berbatov on tour.

The squad are due to leave Philadelphia for Kansas today to prepare for the match against the Wizards tomorrow. Welbeck added: "It is always good to be away with a few of the older lads because you pick up so much from them every day.

"You see how they prepare for games, how they rest and how they train. They are unbelievable – they have this huge determination to win every single training match, let alone actual games. Just to be around them is a real privilege."