We seem to have so many good prospects, but with our record I would be happy if just one youth team player made it. Out of the current youth team of those aged around 16-20 who has the best chance of breaking into the first team?

 

My top 5.

 

1. Ake

2. Baker

3. Ruben Loftus-Cheek

4. Solanke

5. Boga 

1. Ake and Chalobah

2. Baker and Loftus-Cheek

3. Boga

4. Solanke and Bamford

5. Brown

Edited January 14, 201511 yr by IliyaKrostin

There are plenty of threads already involving our youngsters but this is a good question and the ones listed so far would be the obvious candidates (although I wouldn't include Chalobah in that. He may still only be 20 but just like Josh, he seems to have lost his way and slipped down the pecking order).

 

As well as those named above, I would add Christensen, Musonda and Kyle Scott. Christensen in particular looks exceptional but as we all know, and it has been well & truly covered, very few make it, however good they may look at 17/18/19.

There are plenty of threads already involving our youngsters but this is a good question and the ones listed so far would be the obvious candidates (although I wouldn't include Chalobah in that. He may still only be 20 but just like Josh, he seems to have lost his way and slipped down the pecking order).

 

As well as those named above, I would add Christensen, Musonda and Kyle Scott. Christensen in particular looks exceptional but as we all know, and it has been well & truly covered, very few make it, however good they may look at 17/18/19.

Agree. So did Bruma, though. And Kakuta. And Josh Mac. Whereas Matic didn't when he was here before.

 

The fact is, they have to displace one - or in some cases - two players who are international class (even world class) to even get a game at Chelsea.

Ake, that's it.

 

I would be pleasantly surprised if anyone else made it here,

Ake looks pretty decent already and has already racked up more first team minutes than most our youth team players.

I haven't seen anything to suggest that any of the others are good enough

1. Ake

2. Baker

3. Bamford

4. Loftus-Cheek

5. Boga

1. Christensen

2. Ake

3. Loftus-Cheek

4. Solanke

5. Bamford

Edited January 15, 201511 yr by the special one

Completely forgot about Christensen, he'd make my top 5. 

 

I didn't include Bamford because he isn't a youth team product.

Whenever I have seen RlC and bamford, they've looked a class above. I don't know if they will make it, but would be nice if they did. I think we need to consider bringing youth through sooner or later because we, as well as most other teams, won't be able to freely spend millions year upon year for much longer.

Cant see Bamford and Aké making it here doesnt look to have that extra ability you need at the top level. Bamford is decent striker for a low level PL team, but nothing more. Aké is much the same imo,can play several positions ok but none of them well, unless he takes a big step next year (unlikely with the amount of games he get) or is happy beeing a fringe squad player will be gone in a season or two. Low level PL side would suit him I think.

Of the youngsters we have coming up the only ones I think have a shot are RLC, Christensen and Solanke. Allthough Christensen doesnt look much improved from last year I still have some hope for him

Ake could certainly be a good squad player. Slots in at a few positions and he's looked impressive every single time he's played for us in midfield. 

 

RLC could be a massive player for us if he continues growing as a player. I think he'll probably be afforded the most opportunities.

 

Solanke has a very-rounded game but striker is probably the hardest position to make that step. Probably needs a decent loan first.

 

Bamford just scores goals. I think he's such an intelligent player that he will score at almost any level.

 

Boga is a very special talent and has a physical presence that other skillful youngsters don't. Think he could make it.

 

Christensen is a very nice player on the ball but I've seen him caught out defensively a few times, especially at set-pieces. Not as impressed with him as others have been.

 

Then there's a few others. Brown can look great at times, and ordinary at others. Doubt he'll make it here. DaSilva could be an exceptional left-back and he's followed a similar route to Ashley Cole, converting from left-wing. Technically strong and a squat little player I think he could be earmarked for the left-back slot in the future. Aina could emerge as a future right-back option. Colkett reminds me too much of Josh to get that excited about him. Abraham is physically dominant but that doesn't always translate to professional football. Musonda is probably the most skillful player at that level.

 

So for me,

 

1. Ake

2. RLC

3. DaSilva

4. Boga

5. Solanke/Bamford

Ruben will, still very young, give the lad time

really hope baker does though, is a family friend, down to earth guy

Completely forgot Lewis Baker. Love that he's two footed and his set-piece delivery is remarkable, which as Charlie Adam has shown can make a career. Think he could be a good Premier League player.

 

John Swift is a decent player but unexceptional in any respect. Jack Cork-esque.

 

Nat Chalobah is a player I always liked but we messed him around after the Watford loan and stalled his progress. The recent debacle with Bordeaux pretty much sums up his tenure here. After his loan at Watford I thought he could be a late bolter for the World Cup squad if he got a loan in the PL that meant he could start every week. Now I'm not sure where he goes.

 

Islam Feruz is apparently doing everything he can to waste his talent so f**k him.

Islam Feruz is apparently doing everything he can to waste his talent so f**k him.

 

Why what's he done (or not done)?

 

I don't follow the Under 21's very closely so most of the goings on is lost on me. 

I'm going for none. (for our first team anyway)

There's a lot of good young players at the club, but I can't assume anyone will make it. There's just no track record of it happening since we started needing to push for success every season.

 

It'll take one or two getting a chance, excelling in those chances, earning more chances, continue excelling...then maybe, just maybe someone will be willing to take more chances on the young lads...I just don't know if it'll happen.

 

We all want it to obviously. Getting real youth players come through is both good for club identity and the financials, but it's much easier said than done it seems.

 

I'm sure there are plenty of occasions where we could play a young player or two and not have it affect the results, but the need to win stops this minute risks being taken.

I'm going for none. (for our first team anyway)

 

Thanks for that Mr Negative!!

 

I know you are actually being realistic. As others have said, let's just hope ONE can make it. It would be great if 3 or 4 could come through and be involved in the first team squad properly but we would all take 1 for starters. Jose has said it needs to happen so lets just have some faith. The next few transfer windows will be telling. If we still go out and spend big and sign younger players (like Hazard / Oscar etc) then our own youth products chance will be slim to zero.

Now salah and schurrle have gone, and only cuadrado has come in, will one of these boys get some game time? Rlc looks the most likely, but I think boga would be the biggest use stylistically.

I don't know, but is anyone watching the u21 game at SB? We are against southampton and we're beating them 3-0. Southampton are top of the league as well; we are battering them. 

As much as I want our youth to break through, Mourinho doesn't exactly have a track record of giving them a chance at any club.

5-0 to our u21 now. Tammy Abraham is a good player, and KC palmer, and obviously Solanke. 

Edited February 2, 201511 yr by enigma

Now salah and schurrle have gone, and only cuadrado has come in, will one of these boys get some game time? Rlc looks the most likely, but I think boga would be the biggest use stylistically.

lol no

lol no

Well put.