04 May 2017 20:06:09
If we're going for a defensive midfielder from Monaco it should be Fabinho and not Bakayoko. Better on the ball and he's versatile exactly what Conte wants.
{Ed001's Note - he is not very defensive, he is a stroller when it comes to getting back. He is one of those that would drive Conte mad when he saunters back 20mins late. Great ability on the ball, good positionally when he is back, but he won't chase back even if an attacker is right in front of him.}
04 May 2017 21:12:06
What's your opinion on Bakayoko, Ed001? If I may ask :)
{Ed001's Note - I quite like him to be honest, though he was poor last night. Still raw but the potential is there to be class, I think. He is one of those that will always look awkward but I like what I have seen. There is a real player there, and I can see why you are targeting his signature.}
04 May 2017 22:07:29
I'm not disagreeing with you Ed, but I do think we have ready made youngsters who can fill these roles. Chalobah has spent his time out On Loan and he now needs to be given the chance with a run in the first team.
{Ed001's Note - now that we defo agree on! I hate to see clubs go out and buy when they have quality youngsters already there. Chelsea have got a wealth of excellent youngsters, all they need is a bit of faith shown in them.}
04 May 2017 22:14:58
Nice one. Harry Kane went on about four terrible loans before Spurs had no other chance to put him in then three years later he's probably the best all round striker in the league. Ray Wilkins interview was spot on if you've listened to it about Chelsea and other youth players.
{Ed001's Note - there are so many players just crying out for a chance it would be a shame if none of them get it. Another example is Rashford, United didn't even have him in the running at all, even when they had an injury crisis. Ashley Fletcher was meant to play but got injured or sick, I forget what happened now, but it was a last resort desperation thing to throw Rashford in to the team.}
04 May 2017 22:17:25
Kante, Bakayoko, Chalobah and Matic/ Fabregas next season? That looks like a pretty strong midfield rotation.
Thanks for the input, Ed, much appreciated. I too thought he wasn't impressive last night. But he looks physically imposing and at times he shows flashes of some tidy feet. The only thing I hope is that his passing is decent enough. We need a little offensive output from our CMs.
{Ed001's Note - when I have seen him in the past (I say past like it is 20 years ago, but I mean previous games this season) he looked to have a good range of passing. Not Fabregas level, but he breaks sweat in a match unlike Fabregas and helps out defensively.}
04 May 2017 22:41:10
Yeah it's terrible. Personally think there should be a rule in every country where you need to field at least three homegrown players. It's the reason England aren't what they used to be on the international scene.
{Ed001's Note - the problem is that most clubs do not have 3 homegrown players that are anywhere near good enough and it would just increase the price on the couple of good ones around.}
04 May 2017 22:48:15
Abraham, Christensen, Ake, RLC, Chalobah, Traore, Musonda and Baker are all guys that could probably perform squad roles right now. I don't see how they're less talented than a guy like Rashford for example. Even guys like Tomori, Palmer and Izzy Brown are really really talented. Tomori had no trouble keeping Rashford quiet when they went up against each other in youth/ reserves games.
Obviously not all of them can play for our first team. You can't have a squad made out of 10 youngsters. But it'd be a damn shame if none of them could become regulars.
{Ed001's Note - Christensen stands out for me as ready for regular first team football.}
05 May 2017 05:57:46
Ake has impressed me most this season so good on the ball and more importantly he loves getting stuck in. Think Baker would be so much better around better players.
{Ed001's Note - have you seen much of the other Chalobah? (Is it Trevor?) Only I have heard a lot about him and how he is potentially better than his brother.}
05 May 2017 07:01:26
I've heard he's meant to be quality and that came from a Man City season ticket holder who I work with who watches youth games too. Says he's one of the best youngsters he's ever seen. He also thinks Dujon Sterling could make a cracking wing back also.
We have amazing talent even with the next group coming through like Mount, Ugbo, T. Chalobah and Sterling I just think we need to concentrate on Christensen, Ake, Chalobah and Baker next year as they are closest. A year On Loan for Loftus-Cheek and Abraham and I think they'll be ready also.
{Ed001's Note - Sterling is supposed to be excellent, Ed003 raved about him.}
05 May 2017 07:12:19
It's unreal how much talent we have. But I'd honestly prefer not to see us win youth cups if it meant getting them in the first team 😂Loftus-Cheek still excites me the most. Fantastic talent just don't know whether he will ever have the work rate to establish himself. Nice one for the info Ed.
{Ed001's Note - Loftus-Cheek I think is one that will have to leave sadly. He has been held back too long, in my opinion. A shame but there are so many coming through, you have to establish yourself early or there is another youngster there that needs the games.}
05 May 2017 07:47:35
Think the hunger for succeeding is the only thing that will help these young players break through. Unfortunately I only see Baker, Abraham and Ake with the main chance.
05 May 2017 07:48:37
On that we agree again, Ed001. Christensen has to be deemed ready right now. Bundesliga Team of the Season in his first real professional season, CL experience against top quality opposition and simply an excellent defender. He's great on the ball as well, which is a superb quality to have in our 343.
And Nate's younger brother is named Trevoh. From what I've seen and heard, Trevoh is going to be a beast defender.
{Ed001's Note - I really really like Christensen, if it had been up to me I would have had him in the squad this season, as the cover/rotation option, rather than having to drag Ake back from loan. However, I am sure the loan year did him good, so long term it could turn out to be the right move. It has messed Ake about a fair bit though.
Cheers, I knew it was something like that. Though a few youth coaches have said to me he could end up in midfield, like his brother.}
05 May 2017 09:29:03
It'd be funny if both Chalobahs would end up playing defense throughout their youth careers, but end up in midfield anyway. Trevoh just seems so imposing, yet comfortable in possession. I think he could become a very good CB. Obviously he's still one of the younger generations so anything could happen. Trevoh, and as you said, Dujon Sterling are ridiculous prospects. Those 2 along with Castillo and apparently Mount (by some regarded as the best talent in the academy) are the cream of the crop right now as far as I know. Dujon could fit ideally in a wingback role with his speed and complete game. He's a willing defender and attacker and I hope Conte works with him in the upcoming years.
I think Christensen stayed at Gladbach because it's not positive for the club if they start cutting short loans all the time. It gives less incentive to clubs to play our loanees if they know that we'll recall our boys when they start to do well. I hope he stays at the club next season though, but with Ed002's comments that doesn't seem like it's certain.
{Ed001's Note - true, but I think the club will come to regret not bringing back Christensen and getting him integrated into the first team.}
05 May 2017 12:57:56
Yup, I'm pretty sure we'd end up regretting letting him leave. If he wasn't ours already we'd probably see reports of clubs (ourself included) being interested and bidding 40m or something.
If we sell Christensen this summer and buy Van Dijk for big money I might cry. He's good, but not crazy good. I'd much rather use AC and spend the money elsewhere.