25 Aug 2025 22:05:24
Who said our academy doesn't produce stars? Young Rio Ngumoha scoring a fantastic winner this eve. for Liverpool.
26 Aug 2025 08:19:06
EDW
we produce stars for other clubs.
As a number of posters have said, we use OUR talented academy players just for pure profit in order to bring in new young shiny toys from abroad.
You can't blame our youngsters wanting to leave and until we change our policy, I never will.
At least other clubs, not just Liverpool, give them a chance.
26 Aug 2025 08:56:39
Bill, just to balance the argument. We do sign young academy players from other clubs. Also, under EM we now seem to give those young prospects at least a chance to impress. I think we could do more.
Just to add, one of the disadvantages as I see it of signing young players is that our academy players see them as “bed blockers” rather than taking on the challenge.
26 Aug 2025 09:20:39
Historically you are correct Bill, under Roman we gave very few academy players a chance, JT being the stand out and then Reece James but surely you have noticed how much that is changing under the clubs new stewardship? Last season saw record amounts of academy players represent the club at senior level with some of those now establishing themselves in the regular matchday squads. If you get the opportunity come down to Cobham on an open day and you will see Maresca integrating the young players into his training methods. Put simply if they are good enough they will be given opportunities. Did you watch young 16 year old Reggie Walsh last season and did you hear how Maresca described his performance? Have you not noticed how young Levi Colwill has developed? Did you watch that mature display from young Josh against Palace? have you not noticed how Trev has now gone on to represent his country? Did you not notice how many games young George was involved in last season? Yes, some get away, that happens. It also happens the other way as well, young Tyler Dibling came through at Southampton only for us to poach him, he didn't settle and we released him back to Southampton and he is now at Everton. Young Rio came through our academy and we were desperate for him to stay but at age 15 he was not on a full contract and was snapped up by Liverpool, he wasn't sold for huge sums to fund shiny new players as you oh so wrongly say. I love a debate as much as you do but I do try to get a balance.
26 Aug 2025 10:20:51
Thank you for your detailed reply RPD.
Yes I saw young players come through last season however that was because we were in the ECL.
I saw how well Josh performed however, if Maresca had his way another CB would have been brought in so Kudus to the SD"s and the owners for blocking him on that one.
George wants away as he wants first team football and as for chabs, the club tried so many times to sell him last year.
Levi has come good after loans and is an established CH hopefully he will be good as new upon his return from injury.
26 Aug 2025 15:33:02
Just to add to this, Rio is another Lambeth Tigers success story. Great credit should go to that organisation as well as Chelsea's academy. They're a fantastic group of coaches, wonderful people to boot. Even though his goal got Liverpool out of a hole last night, and I'd have rather it had been for Chelsea, sometimes the joy of watching a young player (especially one you've been aware of from a young age) meeting the moment transcends football tribalism; fantastic finish as well. I hope he goes on to have a wonderful career.
26 Aug 2025 18:15:15
EdW, I agree it’s always nice to see Chelsea academy players have successful careers.
All the top players used to come from teams that played in the Echo premiership league. The likes of Cole JT and I think Beckham. There junior games were on a different level.