305 replies to this topic

[Barry Bridges]

Mitrovic is looking like Kalour....full of promise....lets hope he just does better in terms of developing it into actual ability. BTW anyone else notice how similar his features are to Belleti? ....Stamford Bridge love child? jk jk

McEachran and Clifford are certainly looking like ones for the future.


and wow, what a beaty of a tackle by Deen-Conteh vs Portsmouth!

[BlueBeard]

Semi-Final dates have been decided.

From the official site: -

Quote

The dates have been announced for the two-legged FA Youth Cup semi-final versus Blackburn Rovers.

A place in the Final for a second time in three seasons is at stake and the Under 18s play away first.

That match will take place on Wednesday 17 March at Ewood Park with a 7pm kick-off. Admission prices to be confirmed.

The second leg is at Stamford Bridge on Monday 22 March. Kick off is again 7pm and entry prices are to be confirmed.

If the score (on aggregate) is level after 90 minutes of the second leg, a period of 30 minutes extra time will be played.If the score is still level, penalties will determine the result. Away goals do not count as double in this competition.

A good crowd to cheer our youngsters along will be much appreciated but supporters who cannot make it in person can watch both legs live on Chelsea TV. Coverage starts at 6.30pm.

Blackburn Rovers beat Everton 2-1 after extra time at Ewood Park to reach the semis having previously beaten Manchester United 3-0. Tom Hitchcock, son of former Chelsea goalkeeper Kevin, plays in their attack.

The Chelsea Youth team have defeated Charlton, Nottingham Forest, Portsmouth and Watford to reach this stage.

Link

[Nibs]

Hear we were 1-0 up at half time in the away leg at Blackburn.

Hope I'm not tempting fate - anyone know latest / final score?

Will be watching the second leg next Monday - hopefully the final beckons and we'll see some of next seasons first team?!!!

[chelseabootboy]

lol own goal by kevin hitchcocks son good lad, both tems finnished with 10 men as well..

[robx1970]

When's the 2nd leg?

[chelseabootboy]

the second leg is on monday if we get through to the final it will be our second in 3 years.

[Barn]

Kevin Hitchcock's son, Tom plays up front and is a massive Chelsea fan - even subscribes to Chelsea TV!

[Dorset]

It is no exaggeration to say that I enjoyed watching this game far more than the tactically naïve performance we churned out on Tuesday. It was a typical contest between two teams displaying contrasting philosophies on how the game should be played - one passed the ball for fun, using clever movement to create the space, while the other thrived off the long ball, picking up the second ball whenever possible and fighting for the right to play. I’ll leave you to work out which side was which, although the clues were not that obvious at the outset, as we were just as competitive in the closing down department and Conor Clifford was a dog of war in midfield all night, but more of him later. There were three standout performances for me and I’ll begin by describing one from the youngster who must surely be second in line (behind Jeffery Bruma) to make a breakthrough into the first team.

Gokhan Tore - this kid was main provider up front all evening and had we taken half the chances created we could have come away with a three or four goal win rather than only having the single [own] goal advantage, which, somewhat surprisingly, didn’t come from the deflection of a Tore cross. He has the rare ability to deliver a quality cross from either wing without actually going past the defender in front of him and the fact that he CAN skin the opponent if needs be makes him all the more dangerous. This is a Beckham-esque talent in the making and, as I’ve mentioned in a previous post, he also has a bewildering step-over that, when combined with good pace and a bullish physique, must scare the living daylights out of an unsuspecting full back more used to the frailer variety of winger. Trust me, this young Turk is ready and we should get him in the first team squad sooner rather than later.

Danny Mills Pappoe - an assured defender who, on his present rate of growth, could end up being a man-mountain of a presence and a perfect partner for the silkier skills of Jeffery Bruma in central defence in a few years time. The two of them were under great pressure throughout this game, due to Blackburn’s primary tactic involving a bombardment of the box, but he coped with a calmness that bore comparison with Bruma’s undoubted class.

Conor Clifford - a real competitor, he tackled with the sort of wholehearted commitment that the Bison would have been proud of. On a couple of occasions you feared for his wellbeing and minutes-long recovery periods were required before he could resume, but who could fault such passion and just how much did we miss that sort of dedication in midfield against Inter two nights earlier? He is the captain of this youth team and everyone can see why he’s been given the armband, but his future with us should be assured whether we win this FA Youth Cup under his leadership or not.

One final comment on the sendings-off, which arguably resulted from Blackburn upping the aggression in the second half as a means of disrupting the passing and movement that threatened to overwhelm their attempts to get into the game. Kaby Djalo got his marching orders for punching a Rover’s defender who had kicked him and this spoilt another good showing from him as well. Retaliation is not good at the best of times and had he done it in the Champions League playing for Chelsea he would have undoubtedly got himself and the club into a heck of a lot of media-driven trouble. Also, to make matters worse and unlike on this occasion, you could have put money on the opposition player staying on the park in the CL, because the original incident would have been ignored by every Uefa official presiding.

[Alex]

Bit gutted im not around on monday, wouldnt have minded going to that.

[Nibs]

Dorset, on Mar 18 2010, 12:08 PM, said:

It is no exaggeration to say that I enjoyed watching this game far more than the tactically naïve performance we churned out on Tuesday.

Got to say Dorset, that's been the case for me for pretty much most of the season.

So refreshing to see a Chelsea side playing football with loads of pace and skill and where they all look comfortable on the ball.

As for Tore, I agree, he looks more than ready for first team action now, even more so than the likes of Kakuta and Borini. I'd like to see us start using him like Moyes did with Rooney at Everton.

Edited by Nibs, 18 March 2010 - 12:43 PM.

[mad_mac]

It really is exciting to watch our youth team, and some of the prospects we have coming through. I only hope that is Carlo is getting a chance to rebuild the team this summer, then he looks at some of these guys to be back up to his starters.

Tore has said that he is good enough to play first team, and feels he could play for Real Madrid. I love that confidence, and hope that we give him a shot

Scott

[Barn]

Interested in people opinions on Djalo. I reckon if we get three of this team to become first team regulars that will be an incredible result and a lot of them look very good, but this kid intreagues me. He's gota great touch, seems inteligent on the ball and is full of running - but will he make it? His size won't help but for some reason I can't make my mind up on him.

[Anders]

mad_mac, on Mar 19 2010, 02:00 AM, said:

Tore has said that he is good enough to play first team, and feels he could play for Real Madrid. I love that confidence, and hope that we give him a shot

I do too. But I fear that same confidence will also make him leave for another club if he don't get to play for the first team in the next two years or so.

[G-Wrath]

Am going to the game on Monday. Will be cool to see some of the players I've been building up on Football Manager actually play.

[mad_mac]

Barn, on Mar 19 2010, 01:56 AM, said:

Interested in people opinions on Djalo. I reckon if we get three of this team to become first team regulars that will be an incredible result and a lot of them look very good, but this kid intreagues me. He's gota great touch, seems inteligent on the ball and is full of running - but will he make it? His size won't help but for some reason I can't make my mind up on him.

I'm split on him too Barn. I think he looks very promising, but the old "too lighweight for the premiership" keeps coming into my mind; as nonsensical as that statement truly is.

He looks a wee bit like a Kakuta still developing.

Scott

[mad_mac]

A.T.E, on Mar 19 2010, 06:59 AM, said:

I do too. But I fear that same confidence will also make him leave for another club if he don't get to play for the first team in the next two years or so.

Certainly, but if he is good enogh that large clubs are trying to take him from us in a couple of years, then we'll have had a great couple of seasons from someone that's graduated through the ranks from our youuth team. That would be a great situation to be in.

Scott

[ziggazagga]

Best of luck to the Youths tomorrow,il be down there and ive enjoyed watching them this season

[The Moos]

Time to get some revenge on Blackburn. We're 1-0 up from the first game so let's have a solid game tonight and we'll be in the final

Might tune in and watch this game tonight, even if I'll probably miss the end of the game.

[g3.7]

why? are sex and the city repeats on later?

[Anders]

Does anyone have a stream for the game?