The time is right for him to break into the first team, with a new open minded manager in place, if he impresses in pre-season he could very well play a major role in midfield for us. I think its all up to him now to prove to the new boss that he is ready especially with Lampard in decline and Essien injured, even if we do get Modric or any other midfielder, he could still force his way into the first team, your thoughts...
Secondly, I will like him to be used as an attacking midfielder, his skill and passing could prove to be deadly for us in attack, I don't fancy the deep lying play maker role, we already have Mikel for that, if indeed he is really good then he should push up field and inject some creativity up front and maybe snatch a goal or two in the opening games of the season, that will be a perfect way to launch his Chelsea career as a first team player.
If he doesn't get games this new season then we all have to accept the sad truth that he is not good enough or still not ready and should be shipped out on loan so that we can give other youths a chance from the academy.
Our team as it stands with Josh being giving a key role will look like this:
cech
ivan luiz terry cole
ramirez mikel josh
sturridge torres drogba
Josh, now or never
posted on 11/7/11
AVB must have Josh on board with the squad all season to work with him, believe in him, encourage him and start him in a number of games, with Lamps, Benny and Modric (maybe) in support.
posted on 11/7/11
Drogba on the left
posted on 11/7/11
Now or never ??
I don´t think so. Josh is only 18 and still has another 2 or 3 years before he´ll be ready to establish himself in the first team.
People need to chill about Josh. He´s very young and will need a couple of years to develop both physically and as footballer.
posted on 11/7/11
I'm with Kenyan here
He's only 17, it's hardly now or never. Would like to see him feature more next season though
He's wasted at DM, imo 15-20 appearances in all competitions isn't too unrealistic
However, I'm not talking 15 minute cameo appearances against Bolton here, if the lad is to develop I'm talking meaningful game time. If he's not starting he should be playing a full half
posted on 11/7/11
I think quite a few of our fans (in the past year or two) are guilty of thinking cos they watch a lot of reserve or youth football team football on either our channel or even in person, that made em more qualified than someone like myself who only watches the first team. I'm sorry, NO! Josh is an exciting prospect. I'm not gonna question his talent, but c'mon let's be realistic here. He wasn't even selected for the U21 Tournament that was minus Jack Wilshere.
He's not ready! I watch the first team week in week out and I can state without needing to be 'an expert' that this is not like the 80s. There's a massive gulf between reserve and premiership football! I'll be more than happy if he continues to show progress and gets some more game time than the previous season. In fact I'd be doubly pleased because that would mean we would be playing well enough to give Josh the game time!
posted on 11/7/11
The fact he wasn't selected for the U21 tournament was a) a mistake and b) only one other player his age was included in the squad and he didn't get any game time in the Finals.
posted on 11/7/11
only one other player his age was included in the squad and he didn't get any game time in the Finals.
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a point that re-enforces the view that players of that young aqe are protected by club and country.
posted on 11/7/11
Blue Kenyan
We'll just have to agree to differ here! He's shown glimpses of what we hope for him, but he also showed last season that he's not yet a starter! I've been just as guilty of believing I knew something the Chelsea and England Manager did not but if I'm truly honest (with exception of Taylor) I don't and I'm sure neither do you! His time will come, but I'm sorry but I still agree with Carlo's stance on the youth last season - the time was never really right! Oh and as AVB has already stated he wants to hit the ground running, I'm prepared to bet Josh doesn't start against Stoke!
posted on 11/7/11
We're all in agreeement - of course he shouldn't start. But he must be encouraged and worked on with his home club. Make him feel valued and believed in for the long term.He must work hard and learn, and he and we must all be patient.
We're not all in agreement on the matter of a loan. I think that's wrong for him.
posted on 11/7/11
How can he not be encouraged when he made 6 CL appearances last season.
That is a fantastic show of faith by the ex-manager and the club and also a fantastic achievement by the player.