As you probably know our U21s have just won the their play-off final against United to secure an impressive a league and cup double for the season.
They've looked in commanding form all year and have been playing some wonderful football. They seem so much more developed than many of their peers playing in opposing teams. Players like Baker and Ake already look like they could do a good job for a premier league team which brings me onto my main question...
Do any of you guys think one of them will ever become a mainstay in the senior side like JT?
Players like Ake and Baker as previously mentioned in addition to:
- Loftus-Cheek
- Swift
- Aina
- Christensen
- Musonda
All have masses of potential and are great talents. Players like RLC who can combine physicality and technique as well as Christensen who is the very definition of a ball-playing centre back can really have a big role to play for us if we give them a chance.
It's almost bitter sweet seeing how successful our youth side is but then to realise that it's almost certain none of them will be given a proper opportunity to make a name for themselves in Chelsea blue.
If there's one thing I hope can come out of this newfound "stability" we have with Jose in charge is that we'll finally start blooding these youths into the first team. As there's little point having a world-class academy if you're not going to make the most of it.
Will any of them make it?
posted on 15/5/14
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posted on 15/5/14
I don’t believe the academy if considered a profit making operation at all, I think the club have genuine ambition to use it now. In the past our hire and fire attitude to mangers has hindered it, as has the demand for instant success. However Mourinho claims he is here for the long haul and given he’s experienced a number of leagues now and come back to a former club I suspect (and hope) it happens, he is also quoted bemoaning the lacks of talent in the youth ranks in his first stink, the young players coming through now are far better than the option she ever had before.
When Roman bought the club Kenyon stated the plan was to mix the Galatico purchases of Real and the success of the youth system at United, obviously this takes some years to come to fruition but I think we’ll start to see that now. Maybe I’m kidding myself I think in 5 years time we’ll have 10 players in the first team squad who have come through the ranks.
I do think the purchasing of players between 18-22 from aboard and loaning them out before selling on is very much a conscious and deliberate revenue stream.
posted on 15/5/14
What's the latest with Chalobah? There were very high hopes for him.
posted on 15/5/14
Our better academy players seem to be defenders.
But our 1st team defence is the best in the league.
Jose can't drop players in those positions. They haven't deserved to be replaced yet
posted on 15/5/14
Maybe I’m kidding myself I think in 5 years time we’ll have 10 players in the first team squad who have come through the ranks.
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Not sure it will be that many. I'd be happy with three or four, even if they were all just useful squad players.
posted on 15/5/14
It’s a lovely sunny day and I may being a tad optimistic!
Jason Cundy walked past me yesterday, he looked very serious.
posted on 15/5/14
That's what face lifts do
posted on 15/5/14
I've never been convinced Chalobah is any better than Championship standard just yet...BK(even when he had a good spell at Watford), areas to improve to make step up to the PL for me. Not the greatest when put under pressure with intensity.
Barkley has had an inconsistent season and plays at Everton because there is no chance of him being scrutinised when he performs badly(wont be tolerated at Chels), so Martinez under no pressure to start him.
Still think he lacks maturity to his game, displays flashes of brilliance (sporadically) but has got the potential to become a more rounded consistently excellent player, for sure.
posted on 15/5/14
Sterling is a name that should have been mentioned, done very well for himself this season. Let's see If he can carry form into next season.
posted on 15/5/14
TCP, good post.