21 May 2016 09:17:38
Hi guys, I have been following this site regularly for transfer updates and interesting posts. Really great site and some great info.
I wanted to post something regarding youth integration. A lot has been said about our integration policy regarding our youth players. I think the key to this is the context, which is the fact that we are a massive club with really high ambitions. So the youth players when integrated into the first team have to be of a certain level. A fact that they, the youth players, need to realize also. So it is a two way street. We might have a massive loan army but what is does is it gives the players a chance to show that they are ready to make instant contributions in some manner and that they are developing an all round game. That is they are doing smart work instead of just doing hard work. Which brings us to the fact that how doing they are at reading the game with respect to their position and their own abilities, becomes the most import thing for them to be accepted as first team players. Winning youth cups is fine but in a team like Chelsea the whole senario changes as the game becomes way more tactical and awareness has to be high. So only those players will be successful in the integrating themselves. So the loan army does give the players that opportunity to show how smart they are, those who realize that themselves make smart loan choices and develop themselves accordingly. It may not be perfect but it does give the players the ideal opportunity. The rest is upto the players to extract. Those who do like christensen, musonda etc will make the cut. What do you think guys any of the youth players that played in the team like RLC, Bertrand, kenedy etc has those attributes?
21 May 2016 11:05:26
Good post ron and you are spot on with most of your points. Very few players coming through the academies of any top top clubs will make it into their first teams. We have some very talented players both on loan and at Cobham but as it currently stands i would say only Christensen, Ake and Musunda will make the step up. (Of those on loan) . If Solanke knuckles down and focuses on football and not money he might have a chance. Only time will tell on the academy players at Cobham but i like the current crop and expect Tomouri, Clarke-salter, Palmer, Sterling, Da Silva and Abraham to have succesfull careers. Of the current first team squad players i think Kenedy will be the one to make it. Traore has huge potential and he might make it as well but i think Ruben needs a loan.
21 May 2016 13:05:18
Firstly Kennedy maybe young but he wasn't one of our youth players. Secondly what's the obsession with youths. If they're ready they'll play, if not they wait or sod off.
21 May 2016 17:58:49
True, Kenedy is not from our academy but he is still young enough to be considered as a youth player. I think a lot of fans would want to see our investment in our academy and young talent bought to be successful. And also guys what do you think about RLC?