Which Young Players Are Good Enough To Feature This Season?

[Jimmy_blue]

I'm new here, hello!

What's the feeling on what young Chelsea players could be good enough to make an impact this season? personally outside of Jeffrey Bruma, I think it's still a season too soon for most of them. I mean a proper impact, as in start a good portion of games - perhaps 20 or over.

Kakuta: looked golden in the under-19 tournament and looks to be playing beneath himself at that level so he could be the one, but he has to accomodated into the Chelsea side, he doesn't slot right in. Where would he play?

Josh McEachran is the one with all the talent but he probably lacks the physicality for it at this stage and like Kakuta, I'm not sure where he could feature in the current Chelsea set-up; I really think Josh in the most talented out of our young players but there is no doubting he is a luxury player, let's face it if Mourinho was still boss he wouldn't get a look in until he refused to dribble past players are play high-risk through passes. To be honest, I'm really surprised he hasn't already been over-coached. A young English with great technical ability and fancies himself as bit of an artist?

Jacopa Sala: He can play wide-right. This alone makes me think he has a crack at getting a few starts. I simply can not believe we haven't signed a right-sided player aside from Benayoun. I like Sala but I'm not blown away by him but due to the thin nature of right-sided midfield players at Chelsea he must be licking his lips. He has a big chance.

Matic: Behind: Essien, Mikel, and perhaps Ramires (if he ever comes). Not a lot of opportunities for Matic.

Borini: Behind: Drogba, Anelka and Sturridge. Will certainly have an opportunity, I hope the fella scores. He has a bit of pace about him. He could be good.

Others: Clifford, Gokhan Tore, Mitrovic.....could all feature. Physically Tore could be up to it.

........So what do you think? who could cut the mustard?

[Guest Sindre]

I'm new here, hello!

What's the feeling on what young Chelsea players could be good enough to make an impact this season? personally outside of Jeffrey Bruma, I think it's still a season to soon for most of them. I mean a proper impact, as in start a good portion of games - perhaps 20 or over.

Kakuta: looked golden in the under-19 tournament and looks to be playing beneath himself at that level so he could be the one, but he has to accomodated into the Chelsea side, he doesn't slot right in. Where would he play?

Josh McEachran is the one with all the talent but he probably lacks the physicality for it at this stage and like Kakuta I'm not sure where he could feature in the current Chelsea set-up, I really think Josh in the most talented out of our young players but there is no doubting he is a luxury player, let's face it if Mourinho was still boss he wouldn't get a look in until he refused to dribble past players are play high-risk through passes. To be honest, I'm really surprised he hasn't already been overcoached. A young English with great technical ability and fancies himself as bit of an artist?

Jacopa Sala: He can play wide-right. This alone makes me think he has a crack at getting a few starts. I simply can not believe we haven't signed a right-sided player aside from Benayoun. I like Sala but I'm not blown away by him but due to the thin nature of right-sided midfield players at Chelsea he must be licking his lips. He has a big chance.

Matic: Behind: Essien, Mikel, and perhaps Ramires (if he ever comes). Not a lot of opportunities for Matic.

Borini: Behind: Drogba, Anelka and Sturridge. Will certainly have an opportunity, I hope the fella scores. He has a bit of pace about him. He could be good.

Others: Clifford, Gokhan Tore, Mitrovic.....could all feature. Physically Tore could be up to it.

........So what do you think? who could cut the mustard?

Kakuta and Bruma are good enough to play a role. None of them are good enough to start on weekly basis in the premiership but they could have impact as substitutes and as covers for our more established players. Matic will play a role as we lack midfielders but i haven`t seen anything from him yet that would make me thing he is good enough to play as much as he evidently will this season.

Way to early for Josh, Sala and i can`t see Borini make the grade here to be honest. Not to impressed the times he has featured for the first team. One season to early for Gokhan Tore and Cliffford at Mitrovic will never make the grade.

[Jimmy_blue]

Kakuta and Bruma are good enough to play a role. None of them are good enough to start on weekly basis in the premiership but they could have impact as substitutes and as covers for our more established players. Matic will play a role as we lack midfielders but i haven`t seen anything from him yet that would make me thing he is good enough to play as much as he evidently will this season.

Way to early for Josh, Sala and i can`t see Borini make the grade here to be honest. Not to impressed the times he has featured for the first team. One season to early for Gokhan Tore and Cliffford at Mitrovic will never make the grade.

Not really into Matic to be honest. I don't see what he does well from the times I've seen him.

Edited August 11, 2010 by Jimmy_blue

[Guest Sindre]

Not really into Matic to be honest. I don't see what he does well from the times I've seen him.

Agree. Already 22 years old, and i simply can`t see what he has to offer. Hopefully i`m wrong though because he is certainly going to play quite a lot this season.

[Ruh Buh Juh]

Agree. Already 22 years old, and i simply can`t see what he has to offer. Hopefully i`m wrong though because he is certainly going to play quite a lot this season.

I have to disagree. Whenever I saw him in pre-season, he looked a great passer, composed on the ball and very strong. He reminds me a lot of all the good things about Ballack, to be honest.

[Gem]

Hopefully Bruma, Matic and Sturridge. I'm glad players like McEachran are training with the first team - but I wouldn't say he was ready to make the step up yet. I do like Clifford, Hutchinson and Van Aanalt too.

[Ruh Buh Juh]

Van Aanholt, I think anyway, has already become our back up left back, because Zhirkov seems to be used in a far more attacking role. That might be just me, but it seems that's what's happened.

[Andreas]

Hopefully Bruma, Matic and Sturridge. I'm glad players like McEachran are training with the first team - but I wouldn't say he was ready to make the step up yet. I do like Clifford, Hutchinson and Van Aanalt too.

Sturridge is a must, I'd like us to give Kakuta a chance aswell, I remember when he came on against Apoel in the CL and was brilliant.

[cfckeane]

What about Bertrand? He had a brilliant season with Reading, and has proven he can play well against a top club (Liverpool in the FA Cup). I really hope he makes a success of himself, as from what I've seen of him he very promising. If Ashley gets injured and Yuri isn't on form then why not? Think Van Aanholt is probably before him in the pecking order though.

Edited August 11, 2010 by cfckeane

[Sheva]

Bertrand just got loaned out didn't he?

[cfckeane]

ah touche, ill shut up then haha :unsure:

[Gem]

Yuri needs to play further ahead, not LB. If he isn't on form then I'd put it down to his positioning, not ability.

(I had completely forgotten about Bertrand though...)

[charierre]

Van Aarnholt looks like he could do a job, the rest look a little short at present I expect them to have bit part roles when games are won with a couple maybe going out on loan to toughen them up.

[cfckeane]

(I had completely forgotten about Bertrand though...)

But is that a good thing or a bad thing? I worry he'll turn into a Stoch

[Planet Drogba]

Not really into Matic to be honest. I don't see what he does well from the times I've seen him.

He seems to be a Ballack-ish player. He wins possession and keeps it. He's a good, composed passer of the ball and he's great in the air.

[Phillip]

Did I miss something? How come no one has mentioned Hutchinson? Is he injured again?

[durtyhurty]

Sturridge is an obvious choice

It would be nice to see some slick step overs from Kakuta (long term replacement for Joe Cole in my opinion)

Bruma will feature a lot early on I think (early cup draws)

Sadly i haven't seen enough of Matic to pass comment

[Planet Drogba]

^ Kakuta is going to be a lot better than Cole, one would hope.

[sizzler85]

Matic looks a sublime passer and also channels the central midfield very well . I think we must be fair to him and comment on him only after he gets a fair amount of chances . His left foot passing is delightful to watch , really ...

Matic ,Mancienne , Bruma , Kakuta , PVA should be given enough opportunities to step into the first team . Studge is already a first team player .

[MKBlue]

From what I've seen of Bruma over the last 2 years or so I think he's ready to step up now, he'll need to learn from his mistakes sooner rather than later, but his technique looks good and he brings the ball out of defence very well, best of the bunch. Van Arholt doesn't look far behind and if Sturridge can keep his ego in check he'll have Anelka and Kalou looking over their shoulders. I don't think I've seen Sturridge and Borini play together yet but an updated Dixon/Speedie type combo wouldn't go amiss so here's hoping.

As to the rest, I hope our support gives them time to show what they can do, give them this year to bed in and judge them on next year's showing.

[Gem]

Did I miss something? How come no one has mentioned Hutchinson?

I did.

[Dorset]

A good choice for a first new topic, Jimmy, and one that is bound to get you a whole host of replies from those keen to see the Academy have a trailblazer sooner rather than later. Realistically, by limiting the breakthrough period to this coming season, you have cut down the numbers somewhat, but, as I’m guessing that you’d like to see some sort of list of preferences regardless of the time factor, here’s one starting with the guy who is set to make more appearances than most…

1. Jeffrey Bruma - with Riccy having left [after giving great service] the chance of a regular first team place is there to be taken by one of the youngsters and I really hope we don’t splash out in the region of £23m on David Luiz, or any other defender for that matter, to fill the gap. Bruma has the potential to make the step up and if he doesn’t Sam Hutchinson should be the next youngster given the opportunity ahead of any expensive new arrival.

2. Daniel Sturridge - calls for us to buy one more striker will concern him, but the jury’s still out on how often Carlo will use the lad this season anyway. That said, recent performances have convinced many fans that he must be tried ahead of Kalou, maybe even Nico, because sheer pace and unpredictability mark him out as someone on the verge of becoming a home grown star - subject, of course, to the goals going in. The downside for Danny is that Fabio Borini lurks in the shadows just along the bench as a totally different type of predator and I believe that Carlo will favour a sharing of duties between the two, until one of them starts racking up the goals. Then there is the spectre of Neymar to consider…

3.Gael Kakuta - he waits anxiously to see whether the right-sided midfield/attacker berth goes to a newcomer or not and, although most Shed Enders wouldn’t turn their noses up at the bringing in of an Ozil or an Aguero, there are many who baulk at the prospect of not seeing that much of this kid next season. I think his best bet is to shine is as an impact player off the bench, probably at the tip of a midfield diamond [groans all round] rather than out wide, but, should we not replace any of that clump of recently departed RMs, it will be seen as an indication he’s going to play a heck of a lot this season.

4. Patrick van Aanholt - have to agree with those who say Zhirkov’s best position is going forward from midfield and for that reason alone PVA should get some game time as understudy to Ashley. Add to this the fact that Ryan Bertrand’s out on loan and Sam Hutchinson is the only other [young] contender vying for a place at LB or CB and it begins to look good for him to… well, at least make the bench on a regular basis.

5. Michael Mancienne - probably checking the fitness reports on Bosingwa as I write, for the right back position is the one he has to be eyeing up at the moment. With Bruma’s covering in Bossy’s absence not being entirely successful and without encouragement from Carlo [that he’ll get a crack at breaking though at some stage of the season] expect Wolves to look an increasingly attractive long term alternative. Personally, I think we’ve invested too much time and effort in this boy to let Mick McCarthy reap the benefits from what could turn out to be an extremely talented attacking full back and therefore I’m hoping both sides, club and player, keep their options open a little longer.

[sizzler85]

I agree with Dorset on Mancienne . We have invested a lot of time on mancienne and we should not allow him to leave us and prosper at another club . Chelsea should be his home this season .

[Adzio]

I also third that , what i have seen of Mancienne in the last 2 matches , the half against Frankfurt and the U21 game the other night he looks a lot more confident in himself and assured on the ball . I wouldn't say he is a centre-back but definately at fullback he looks promising.

[Jimmy_blue]

A good choice for a first new topic, Jimmy, and one that is bound to get you a whole host of replies from those keen to see the Academy have a trailblazer sooner rather than later. Realistically, by limiting the breakthrough period to this coming season, you have cut down the numbers somewhat, but, as I’m guessing that you’d like to see some sort of list of preferences regardless of the time factor, here’s one starting with the guy who is set to make more appearances than most…

1. Jeffrey Bruma - with Riccy having left [after giving great service] the chance of a regular first team place is there to be taken by one of the youngsters and I really hope we don’t splash out in the region of £23m on David Luiz, or any other defender for that matter, to fill the gap. Bruma has the potential to make the step up and if he doesn’t Sam Hutchinson should be the next youngster given the opportunity ahead of any expensive new arrival.

2. Daniel Sturridge - calls for us to buy one more striker will concern him, but the jury’s still out on how often Carlo will use the lad this season anyway. That said, recent performances have convinced many fans that he must be tried ahead of Kalou, maybe even Nico, because sheer pace and unpredictability mark him out as someone on the verge of becoming a home grown star - subject, of course, to the goals going in. The downside for Danny is that Fabio Borini lurks in the shadows just along the bench as a totally different type of predator and I believe that Carlo will favour a sharing of duties between the two, until one of them starts racking up the goals. Then there is the spectre of Neymar to consider…

3.Gael Kakuta - he waits anxiously to see whether the right-sided midfield/attacker berth goes to a newcomer or not and, although most Shed Enders wouldn’t turn their noses up at the bringing in of an Ozil or an Aguero, there are many who baulk at the prospect of not seeing that much of this kid next season. I think his best bet is to shine is as an impact player off the bench, probably at the tip of a midfield diamond [groans all round] rather than out wide, but, should we not replace any of that clump of recently departed RMs, it will be seen as an indication he’s going to play a heck of a lot this season.

4. Patrick van Aanholt - have to agree with those who say Zhirkov’s best position is going forward from midfield and for that reason alone PVA should get some game time as understudy to Ashley. Add to this the fact that Ryan Bertrand’s out on loan and Sam Hutchinson is the only other [young] contender vying for a place at LB or CB and it begins to look good for him to… well, at least make the bench on a regular basis.

5. Michael Mancienne - probably checking the fitness reports on Bosingwa as I write, for the right back position is the one he has to be eyeing up at the moment. With Bruma’s covering in Bossy’s absence not being entirely successful and without encouragement from Carlo [that he’ll get a crack at breaking though at some stage of the season] expect Wolves to look an increasingly attractive long term alternative. Personally, I think we’ve invested too much time and effort in this boy to let Mick McCarthy reap the benefits from what could turn out to be an extremely talented attacking full back and therefore I’m hoping both sides, club and player, keep their options open a little longer.

good stuff.

But yeah, I was thinking of mainly this season; what with the new rules in effect. I'm sure over the next three season a decent bulk of that cup winning youth team will have at least a chance of appearing for the full Chelsea team. However; with the contraints of a settled team and system, what players could break through? realistically it looks like Jeffrey Bruma could get games, and Van Aanholt appears to be Ashley Cole's understudy judging by the weekend.

I regard Sturridge is being part of the Chelsea first-team set-up already.

I know Kakuta is being floated as a potential for the right-side, but isn't he naturally a left-sided player?

Edited August 17, 2010 by Jimmy_blue