Posted April 6, 201015 yr Looks like our young Dutch defenders are highly though of in their homeland. Reports in Holland today have claimed that Chelsea’s highly-rated pair of young defenders, Jeffrey Bruma and Patrick van Aanholt , could be heading to the World Cup in South Africa.Despite the fact Bruma and van Aanholt have yet to establish themselves in Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea first team, they could be heading to the World Cup to gain experience. Holland’s official preparation for the World Cup begins on May 6 and Bert van Marwijk is planning to call up players to try out in the friendlies in the lead up to South Africa. Jeffrey Bruma has made two substitute appearances for Chelsea in the Premier League this season. Patrick van Aanholt has had spells at Coventry and Newcastle on loan this season and has also made two substitute Premier League appearances for Chelsea in 2009/2010.
April 6, 201015 yr Good news, cheers dkw. This summer is going to be very interesting to see how we handle progressing this crop of talented youngsters, especially those in the defensive positions given how overstocked we are in that department. I am going to assume (hope) that Percy leaves with a big and well earned round of applause, but that still leaves a vast number of players who will either expect to play, or will want to see a visible progression in their position in the heirarchy, and we need to (for once) make damn sure that we don't regret the decisions we make. One things for sure, I don't want to see any defenders being bought this summer, when we have such talent in our ranks, and a need for fresh blood in other positions.
April 6, 201015 yr They're both very talented no doubt...but really world cup selection!? That would surprise me.
April 6, 201015 yr This is excellent news, as it wasn’t too long ago that I was bemoaning the fact that Blackburn had shoved an inexperienced 18yr-old in against us and as a result he had effectively taken on a higher profile than our own Jeffery Bruma! Should Patrick van Aanholt and Bruma end up with places at the World Cup, albeit for the experience only, what better encouragement could there be for the best young players worldwide to continue to come knocking on Chelsea’s door. All it needs now is for Fabio to come out and say that Ryan Bertrand is a better understudy to Ashley Cole at left back than anybody else currently performing in the Premiership and we’ll be on our way to getting the recognition for developing young British talent at this club that all Roman’s efforts deserve.
April 6, 201015 yr This is quite surprising but excellent news nonetheless. Our youngsters getting thus recognized, however, is a double edged sword. On the one hand it means we're doing something right regarding youth development while on the other hand it also means that if we're not able to promote these promising youngsters to the first team quickly enough and give them the playing time they deserve, it would become extremely difficult for us to retain them given the vultures from all over the continent would be casting their evil eye on them. This summer is going to be really interesting and might well show us the way the club is going to deal with youth development and transfer policy. Carlo need to find the right balance which in my opinion would be the biggest test of his Chelsea career.
April 6, 201015 yr brazil have a tradition for taking young players they think wiill be important for them in the future, for example kaka went in 2002 (playing about 20 minutes). holland do not have a greaty many quality defenders, so particularly in the case of bruma this might not be the impossibility it appears.
April 6, 201015 yr Author These are the Dutch defenders from their last friendly match early in march. as G4 said, not too many of real quality. 5 DF Giovanni van Bronckhorst February 5, 1975 (age 35) 97 5 Feyenoord 20 DF Ron Vlaar February 16, 1985 (age 25) 3 0 Feyenoord 2 DF Gregory van der Wiel February 3, 1988 (age 22) 8 0 Ajax 12 DF André Ooijer July 11, 1974 (age 35) 53 3 PSV 15 DF Edson Braafheid April 8, 1983 (age 26) 6 0 Celtic 3 DF John Heitinga November 15, 1983 (age 26) 51 6 Everton 4 DF Joris Mathijsen April 5, 1980 (age 30)
April 6, 201015 yr "Reports in Holland today have claimed that Chelsea’s highly-rated pair of young defenders, Jeffrey Bruma and Patrick van Aanholt , could be heading to the World Cup in South Africa." Which reports? Haven't read anything of the sort I just hope they won't suffer a Walcott if they are selected...
April 6, 201015 yr These are the Dutch defenders from their last friendly match early in march. as G4 said, not too many of real quality.5 DF Giovanni van Bronckhorst February 5, 1975 (age 35) 97 5 Feyenoord 20 DF Ron Vlaar February 16, 1985 (age 25) 3 0 Feyenoord 2 DF Gregory van der Wiel February 3, 1988 (age 22) 8 0 Ajax 12 DF André Ooijer July 11, 1974 (age 35) 53 3 PSV 15 DF Edson Braafheid April 8, 1983 (age 26) 6 0 Celtic 3 DF John Heitinga November 15, 1983 (age 26) 51 6 Everton 4 DF Joris Mathijsen April 5, 1980 (age 30) No, the days of Ruud Krol are very much behind us. However, the days of prima donnas who manage to become the team's worst enemy are also behind us. I'd rather have a back four who buckle down and get things done the ugly way, than a bunch of self-important brats who worry about the colour of their Ferraris. Edited April 6, 201015 yr by Valerie
