Gulf?
I think there is and i think it's a real shame. Or is it?
Is it just a sign that the standard of Premiership getting even higher, and that can only be a good thing?
What I'm driving at is:-
Years ago, a top 6 club would have its star striker injured or struggling for form and instead of going out and spending untold wealth on a high scoring striker in a foreign league.......they'd perhaps look at the scoring charts in the next league down and have a few of the high scorers scouted.....hey perhaps it still goes on.
However, what very seldom happens any more is that player taking the change in Division in his stride... The last time I think we did it and had any success was Eidur.
But also the gulf in 1st team football and reserves has also become way too big...... Well to big to take risks at clubs like Chelsea......
Although credit where it's due to Rafa he's occasionally involved a few of the fringe players where possible, even in the Premiership, last season.
I dunno, the romantic in me would love Chelsea to go take a risk on a player who's on 15-20 goals already in the Championship. But I know it'd.be a massive failure these days. Unlike years ago, where you'd have a really good feeling about those types of signings.
Nowadays the risk cannot be taken. Is it because of increased standards or too high stakes?
One thing I admire about a certain north London team, is they do have the courage to recruit from lower leagues, although those recruits don't go straight in to their premiership starting line-ups.
Admins I hope this is not too offensive to multi-board?
Premiership > Championship...Increasing....
posted on 10/12/13
Don't know about that, as don't watch enough championship football to have an informed view...
Premiership teams are under pressure to sign players who are PL standard from day one and I think that is the main reason they hesitate or don't look too hard at the Championship, but there are players who come up with promoted sides and are clearly PL standard........
posted on 10/12/13
See half the Southampton team...when given a chance these players can make the step up. I wouldn't mind ether lambert or llalana at Chelsea
posted on 10/12/13
Biggish the last time i can really remember our own club was when we Signed Eidur from Bolton?!
posted on 10/12/13
The risk can definitely be taken with young players, I realise you're referring to Arsenal in your article, but Spurs have benefited massively from doing this.
I would also expect the likes of Ince from Blackpool and Hughes from Derby to be playing for a good PL team in a year or so.
posted on 10/12/13
Nice article OP.
I think its a bit of both.Gulf between reserves and first team has increased and standard of Premiership has increased massively.Premiership has increased in quality but top Premiership sides except Arsenal don't have time to get a player from Championship and develop him into at least a squad player for that top team.
posted on 10/12/13
I’d much rather see big clubs like yourselves bring kids through rather than give Championship players a go. God knows, you spend enough money on youth development. Who was the last player to come through and establish himself as a first team regular? Terry? How many years ago? With such a poor production line you would have to ask why bother at all
posted on 10/12/13
Apart from Southampton and Arsenal I wouldn't say any PL club's production line is doing that well.
posted on 10/12/13
Stuck With The Name Biggish Chelsea record has been extremely poor and I think we should have persisted with Josh McEachren and Ryan Bertrand when he should be getting chances to play at least in cup games and he should be coming on as a substitute in games we have already sealed in Premiership for last 20 minutes like when we have 2 or 3 goal lead.