With emenalo leaving it got me thinking about his biggest and most controversial contribution to the club, his loan army. Now I know it gets a lot of stick but when I actually thought about it I don't understand how it can be seen as a failure. If you look at our last 11 we had two first teamers who both had long loans. We had one of the top five keepers in the world who reportedly cost us 8 million. While cech continued to be world class in the first team tibo developed on loan until it was the right time to come back and replace him. Christensen a free transfer developed on loan into a top class player while JT and co we're doing the business in the first team. Hes back and had plenty of game time already this season. If stones is a 50+ million pounds player then how much is this kid worth ? At a top club I don't think 2 "academy" products in the first team is bad. Tammy is out on loan playing week in week out I'm the premier league. In a struggling side he already has 4 goals and an assist and now an England call up. I believe next season he will be back as our 2nd choice striker. Where i think the system falls down is the manager merry go round.If you look at our other loan players who have made careers elsewhere it's massive, at least two of those let go by mourinho are now one of the top scorers in the league in lukaku and without doubt the most in form player in de bruyne. Add to that sturridge, salah, chalobah etc etc etc. If we can keep a manager more long term I feel we can bring through even more talent into the first team. That being said if Tammy returns next year, I'll be very happy with 3 players in the squad and the large amounts of money the others who don't cut the mustard bring in .
posted on 8/11/17
The loan system has its perks and flaws but ultimately it works, Every now and again a gem comes through (Courtois, Christensen)and players who had promise but couldn't cut it get moved on at an inflated price.. Whats the problem?
posted on 8/11/17
Christensen better than Lukaku.
Behave he's been kept out by Gary Cahill.
posted on 8/11/17
It clearly is a way for Chelsea to make money. If a Harry Kane comes through it is a bonus. It is a no lose situation for Chelsea save for the stick they get for not giving anyone of their youngsters a run in the team.
posted on 8/11/17
comment by RonaldVilliers (U21490)
posted 37 minutes ago
Christensen better than Lukaku.
Behave he's been kept out by Gary Cahill.
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Sorry i forgot about lukaku being in his pocket all game, not scoring in 6, his shocking goal return against big sides and the fact his goal stats are inflated by scoring the majority of them against poor sides and a failure to score match winners. Yes great player
posted on 8/11/17
Better than Lukaku my backside. If Lukaku got the chances Morata had the other day he'd have scored at least two.
How can a young CB who has done nothing be better than a striker first of all and a striker who has only been outscored by Aguero over last 5 years?
Very bitter.
posted on 8/11/17
Our loan system is brilliant. Producing top talent. Shame many are not given a chance. But we’ve made a lot of money and have Courtois, Moses and Christiansen in the first team.
posted on 8/11/17
A lot of folks talk as if they are part of Chelsea's management. I get you are speaking as a fan but ultimately, Chelsea FC is a business first to Mr. Abramovich and he has to make money
I don't think their primary goal for the loan policy is to feed the first team. If it does, great, it is an added bonus. I believe the intention is to make money period!
posted on 8/11/17
Which is a stupid plan Blue Texan as we can develop at least a few squad players instead of buying average players for 35-40 million pounds and that will be good for Chelsea academy monetarily as well as help build its reputation currently in doldrums.
posted on 9/11/17
Our academy has two goals, generate revenue fur the club and to supply the first team with a few players on an annual basis.
When Abramovich took over at Chelsea a number of goals were outlined.
Win the league
Win the champions league
Establish ourselves as s top global team and brand
Grow the fan base
Become financially stable/ independent
The youth program is part of that last plan, it is designed to create players of standard we require and to earn money from those we can't use through sales.
Considering we had no youth policy worth speaking of for at least the previous 5 years due to legal battles, the rebuilding of the ground and investing in creating s top six side, I don't think we have done too badly and will continue with our plans. When good enough players will break through.
I don't out of or lukaku in this bracket, they were young when we invested in them but hardly youth products Chelsea can claim to have developed.
I'm happy to be with the program but I feel untill we settle on s manager that lasts more than 2 years we will have a major challenge bringing through academy players.. our habit of changing managers has its drawbacks but we've all enjoyed the benefits too
posted on 9/11/17
When I say no youth policy for 5 years I meant pre Roman.