Who is your pick of Chelsea's youth stars today?

Apologies if the subs are in the wrong order, I can't remember when they came on.

Edit: That's strange... the poll didn't show up.

Edited July 17, 201016 yr by PloKoon13

See if it works this time.

Essien was the best player on the pitch, but Bertrand also did quite well.

Yep Essien streets ahead. To be expected I guess, but great to see him back and in form.

I thought Conor Clifford was excellent today. Some of his passes were extremely intelligent and highly impressive for someone of his age.

Essien for sure, sturridge close behind.

Essien by a country mile. Sturridge looked good in parts but was far too greedy and lacked conviction when he did get chances.

I didn't get to see the game but wow did all those players really play? The youngsters really had a lot of chances. Really nice to hear that McEachran and Tore are getting some playing time in these friendlies. Also nice to not only see Essien back, but also to have him score.

I'm really curious - how did Lalkovic, McEachran, and Clifford do? And what about Matic? Do you guys think Matic is good enough to break into the first team squad?

Edited July 17, 201016 yr by Planet Drogba

I voted for Essien. He was very good today and of course got the only goal of the game.

I went for Studge, though as Loz said he did keep hold of the ball too much and Essien probably played better. But at least he showed just how much he wants to play and some of his play was outstanding. Bertrand ran him close and shows theres life after Cole/Zhirkov in the squad.

Essien for sure, it was great to see him back in action. Bertrand, Sinclair and van Aaholt impressed me. Clifford made a few neat and incisive passes when he came on, and Matic had a decent, if unspectacular, game. He's a tall guy and I think that will work to his advantage when he gets a chance in the first team this coming season.

*Edit: And McEachran of course. He's quite small and slight but he looks very lively and his touch to set up Essien was fantastic.

Edited July 18, 201016 yr by Alan

Where was Kakuta?

Where was Kakuta?

France under 19`s.

Conor Clifford

Conor Clifford for me as well....first team not included.

I think Nathaniel Chalobah deserves a pat on the back as well for holding his own at the age of fifteen.

Sturidge was a nightmare. All he was interested in was himself. His finishing was woeful.

bertand and clifford look good bets for the PL, hopefully for us! as they have defined roles - bertand is quick and his all round game is tight - cliffoed born leader and can drive from midfield - only q. is whether PL will give him a role.............reminds me of catermole, but he likes to shoot too

matic definte bet for the 1st team squad - bit like rodwell (maybe not as driving forward) but classy off both feet and height advantage.................looks confident on the ball

really promising group of players

Generally, I was really impressed by most of the "kids" playing on Saturday. Essien was majestic as you would expect, but there were some very assured performances from the younger chaps that really do auger well for the future (maybe not this season though !!)

McEachran looked a bit lightweight and too easily tackled, but he is still very young and needs a few more games at this level, although when he was given time was awesome. A couple of through balls that he played to Sturridge and DiSanto were Zola like.

DiSanto is simply not good enough and should find another Club ASAP

Sturridge looks to have improved. He was a touch greedy with other players in better positions, but his touch and pace looked top notch. We defiinitely do not need to spend £50mill + on Torres with Sturridge behind Anelka and Drogba.

Bertrand and Brouma both look like Premiership players already. Apart from CFC, Man U, Arsenal, and Spuds, they would be first team starters everywhere else.

Connor Clifford reminds me of a young Dennis Wise, with a better pass and shot !! Hugely impressed by his progress.

All in all a good days work and loads of positives for Carlo as he plans the coming Season.

Sturidge was a nightmare. All he was interested in was himself. His finishing was woeful.

I have to disagree on this one. Sturridge rightly tried to score. He has the will to be in the first team and not just play third fiddle. You can see how much power he has gained and he felt he was the best player on the pitch. I looks and sounds selfish but it was a preseason friendly and it is his time to convince Carlo he can compete with Anelka and Kalou. Now or never.

I agree on the finishing though. He had forget where the goal actually stands. Hope he scores in the next one.

I have to disagree on this one. Sturridge rightly tried to score. He has the will to be in the first team and not just play third fiddle. You can see how much power he has gained and he felt he was the best player on the pitch. I looks and sounds selfish but it was a preseason friendly and it is his time to convince Carlo he can compete with Anelka and Kalou. Now or never.

I agree on the finishing though. He had forget where the goal actually stands. Hope he scores in the next one.

Totally agree with you, we know that he can score goals, wasn't he our top scorer in the FA-cup?

Sturridge for me was up there with Essien for motm, I know it's a friendly against Palace but the way he fought and really wanted to show what he could do to Carlo, I just love it.

Give him some games this season, hopefully many and I think we will see just exactly what he can do, who knows, he might actually become our next star striker?

Essien was far and away the best player, but the player that impressed me the most was Matic. He was composed on the ball, great passing and defending, reminded me of Ballack when he was good!