24 replies to this topic

[BlueBeard]

"Barn":1e96z3qy said:

The problem with giving the youngsters a chance (and don't get me wrong I'd like to see them in there) is that the direction the club has committed to taking is one of sustained success on the pitch.  They cannot develope the club in the way that they want/need to if we are "hovering around 4th".  Even if we did that for a couple of years there is no garauntee that in three of four years time we'll be back up there challenging, those kids that look so good in the reserves might for whatever reason fail to make it at the top level.

The only alternative to trying out the youth players in the first team is to continue buying in players. And as we all know, buying in even very good or big 'name' players doesn't always mean they'll turn out to be good players for Chelsea. So far as I can see, buying in 'name' players is just as big a gamble as bringing in youngsters from the youth side.

I wouldn't advocate sticking in half a dozen youth players at once, just draft them in as and when they deserve the chance - especially if the first team players aren't on form (like now, for instance).

Another positive of doing this would be the financial side - we'd save a fortune on exhorbitant transfer fees - and it would also earn the club some respect, rather than just have a reputation for buying success.

We also have to concede that if Chelsea carry on the way they're going at the moment, and with so many people behind the scenes interfering in team affairs, just how many top players would want to come to Stamford Bridge? The only ones who'd be arriving would be the ones chasing the dollars, not the ones hungry for success.

[fester]

Living in Staffordshire I went to the Youth Cup game at Vale Park last night (one Chelsea fan amongst 3619 Vale fans it felt like), and I was very impressed - as were most of the Vale fans I spoke to - with the Chelsea performance.  The standout players were Kakuta (obviously), Stoch, Nouble, Neilson and Tereja, although everyone played really well - even gk Rhys Evans when called upon.  

The thing that struck me most was how the wide players hugged the touchlines.  The Vale fans in front of me couldn't believe how everytime we attacked we had an out-ball to the opposite wing to continually open play up.  All the players looked really comfortable on the ball.  We tore Vale apart for the first 20 minutes, and then they started to shut us down in midfield a bit more.  However, all they could really do was to stop us playing as when they tried to play we took control again.

For those who watched it on Chelsea TV, was it a penalty?  I know it didn't matter but is looked like a home team decision at the time.  Villa in the semi and I'll try and make the away leg of that one too.

Come on you young Blues.

PS.  Free to park at the ground and only £4 to get in - it's how footy should be!!

[Dorset]

I reckon it was a penalty, Fester, as it wasn't the defender's ball and the attacker was taken out. Pity because both Brouma and Van Aanholt had really solid games in the centre of the defence and I was as impressed with the way they looked after Danny Glover as I was with the others you mentioned.

[midlandblue]

Fester, where exactly is the away leg being played?

[Qaz]

"barak81":1810qsf4 said:

Just a question to add to this thread, how many people would be prepeard to see us push these players through to the first team and mayby hover around 4th for a couple of seasons while they develop?

Me my self and I would be more than happy to see this as opposed to continuesly splashing cash on players that may or may not work out.

I disagree with the post made suggesting that Abramovich isn't interested in the youth team. I'd say that he is very interested given the investments made (not least getting Arnesen in to head scouting).

As for should these younsters get game time, I want our youngsters to be given the greatest chance possible of succeeding at Chelsea long term (not short term, but long term). Because of this, I would be very weary about putting these youngsters into the first team until I am sure they are physically and mentally ready for the rigours of football at the very highest level. Playing them before they are ready could lead to potentially brilliant careers being ruined and I don't think any of us here want that.