Posted May 26, 20159 yr Goalkeepers Marcus Bettinelli (Fulham), Jonathan Bond (Watford), Jack Butland (Stoke City) Defenders Calum Chambers (Arsenal), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Luke Garbutt (Everton), Ben Gibson (Middlesbrough), Carl Jenkinson (Arsenal, on loan at West Ham United), Michael Keane (Burnley), Liam Moore (Leicester City), John Stones (Everton), Matt Targett (Southampton) Midfielders Tom Carroll (Tottenham Hotspur, on loan at Swansea City), Nathaniel Chalobah (Chelsea), Will Hughes (Derby County), Jake Forster-Caskey (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea), Alex Pritchard (Tottenham Hotspur), Nathan Redmond (Norwich City), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton) Forwards Benik Afobe (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Patrick Bamford (Chelsea, on loan at Middlesbrough), Saido Berahino (West Bromwich Albion), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Danny Ings (Burnley), Cauley Woodrow (Fulham) There it is, in all its glory, a squad of young players representative of both club(s) and country, the former being central to this topic, with Chelsea‘s three-man contribution pivotal to the piece. However, before getting down to brass tacks and home truths, let’s get a few comments on other clubs out of the way first, by putting them in the stocks and throwing a bit of critical abuse in their general direction. An opening observation - the famed and feted ManU conveyor belt of kids seems to have broken down, with Jesse Lingard emerging as a sole survivor at this level. Not wishing to show too much [Joan] Baez, but where have all their flowers gone? Long time passing (long time ago) if this standout, singular presence in the list is anything to go by. Doubtless Louis van Gaal, in more sober mood than of late, would cite Under-21 league success as evidence of a better state of affairs than might be imagined, but it would appear that they are no real advert for stay-at-home development, Lingard’s previous on-loan fast-tracking (four and counting) towards International recognition putting pay to that notion. One up to the loan process, then, and the same could be said of Carl Jenkinson, although a balance is immediately struck by the inclusion of Calum Chambers, despite his ’senior moments’ in Arsenal’s back four throughout the last campaign. Noticeably, only two Gunners in this squad, though that just happens to be two more than Liverpool or Citeh can muster, the latter presumably playing the Academy catch-up card for a year or five, the former preferring to pillage Saints periodically rather than pursue any worthwhile youth policy themselves - in any event, it’s the least of their worries. Little wonder neither club features amongst the top four providers of young talent, their places filled by none other than ourselves [with three] and Spurs, who will be revelling in the glory, glory of having no less than a quartet of representatives. Credit to them, not only for topping the list, but also for giving good account of themselves at almost every youth level this season. The mix is marked, Dier, Pritchard and Kane prospering at home, with Carroll ploughing a lonelier furrow, in every sense of the word. Looking further down the list in search of alternate heroes, I can only find John Stones and Saido Berahino, both rumoured to be on the cusp of big money moves in the summer, but stay-at-home lads at heart, whilst Danny Ings is a different kettle of fish entirely, in that he has agitated for a move for some time and it’s now inevitable following Burnley’s relegation. But it is Harry Kane who has really become the archetypal ‘spur’ within his personal gang of four, spanning the home/loan/return-to-club format before emerging as the shiniest example of how the process can produce top quality on completion and, as far as Chelsea are concerned, it is at this point that the comparisons become interesting. Short-term and internationally orientated, we will see something of a domestic striker shootout in this Under-21event, between Kane, Ings, Berhino and Bamford, each one at a different stage in his career after following diverse paths. It falls to Gareth Southgate to choose a running order, but looking at each form horse individually… Kane has made a virtue out of being willing and able all season, making him the Euro front-runner and rightfully so, but the price he pays will be pressure, the sound of Ings and Berahino hooves hard on his heels, with the possibility of Patrick coming up on Championship rails (a complete outsider) to pip them all in a race that could, long-windedly, be called a Potent Premiership Striker Selling Plate. Of course, this imagined state of affairs is both literally and metaphorically skewed by Bamford who, unlike the other two in the chasing pack, has no acknowledged want-away intent and, even though he is currently way down the field and out of sight in the Premiership sense, has a stable place to return to right here, should Jose choose to sanction it. And this is the crux of the matter - the true extent to which the boss wishes to embrace youth within next season’s squad. Contrastingly, he has his prize possession on show in the shape of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, alongside Nathaniel Chalobah, whose loan placements will soon number as many as Kane’s, albeit without the same degree of success. Will their performances at this tournament give Jose cause to reflect on our home grown English element, or have decisions already been made? Either way, we shall soon find out, but in the meantime we can be certain of one thing - despite constant carping about the failure of our youth policy, the evidence is to the contrary - we are, in effect, much better off than our nearest rivals…. it’s just that the English media always recoils from rubbishing the rest. .
May 26, 20159 yr It was great to see Chalobah back in the England'd U21 squad. Actually the team is looks good, fantastic attack for their age and they can go far. Would be great to see this XI: Butland Dier Chambers Stones Jenkinson Radmond Chalobah Loftus-Cheek Berahino Kane Bamford A lot of quality in this team, hardworkers and talented players. It's always nice to see players from Chelsea, especially Chalobah and Loftus-Cheek, they both can make it here, Loftus-Cheek already has proved that this season. Same for Bamford, he had amazing season this year.
June 18, 20159 yr England U21 vs Portugal U21 today. Someone is going to watch? Would be interesting to watch our boys, how they do in the national team.
June 18, 20159 yr England U21 vs Portugal U21 today. Someone is going to watch? Would be interesting to watch our boys, how they do in the national team.I'll be watching want our boys to all play
June 18, 20159 yr England U21 vs Portugal U21 today. Someone is going to watch? Would be interesting to watch our boys, how they do in the national team. Looking forward to it, but looking back at your original team selection (very close to what I would've picked) Bamford and Berahino are out of the tournament and Stones is injured for this match. Real shame.
June 18, 20159 yr WHich Chelsea players can we expect to see? I never watch international football, so I have no idea who is in the starting 11 most of the time
June 18, 20159 yr WHich Chelsea players can we expect to see? I never watch international football, so I have no idea who is in the starting 11 most of the time I expect to see Chalobah and RLC starting. Chalobah is pretty active player there, he has 18 appearance. I saw the squad now and we have only two players which represents us (Chalobah and RLC).
June 18, 20159 yr There's Kalas (CZECH) and Christensen (DENMARK) for Chelsea too , Christensen did well last game , kalas didnt play
June 19, 20159 yr Goalkeepers Marcus Bettinelli (Fulham), Jonathan Bond (Watford), Jack Butland (Stoke City) Defenders Calum Chambers (Arsenal), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Luke Garbutt (Everton), Ben Gibson (Middlesbrough), Carl Jenkinson (Arsenal, on loan at West Ham United), Michael Keane (Burnley), Liam Moore (Leicester City), John Stones (Everton), Matt Targett (Southampton) Midfielders Tom Carroll (Tottenham Hotspur, on loan at Swansea City), Nathaniel Chalobah (Chelsea), Will Hughes (Derby County), Jake Forster-Caskey (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea), Alex Pritchard (Tottenham Hotspur), Nathan Redmond (Norwich City), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton) Forwards Benik Afobe (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Patrick Bamford (Chelsea, on loan at Middlesbrough), Saido Berahino (West Bromwich Albion), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Danny Ings (Burnley), Cauley Woodrow (Fulham) There it is, in all its glory, a squad of young players representative of both club(s) and country, the former being central to this topic, with Chelsea‘s three-man contribution pivotal to the piece. However, before getting down to brass tacks and home truths, let’s get a few comments on other clubs out of the way first, by putting them in the stocks and throwing a bit of critical abuse in their general direction. An opening observation - the famed and feted ManU conveyor belt of kids seems to have broken down, with Jesse Lingard emerging as a sole survivor at this level. Not wishing to show too much [Joan] Baez, but where have all their flowers gone? Long time passing (long time ago) if this standout, singular presence in the list is anything to go by. Doubtless Louis van Gaal, in more sober mood than of late, would cite Under-21 league success as evidence of a better state of affairs than might be imagined, but it would appear that they are no real advert for stay-at-home development, Lingard’s previous on-loan fast-tracking (four and counting) towards International recognition putting pay to that notion. One up to the loan process, then, and the same could be said of Carl Jenkinson, although a balance is immediately struck by the inclusion of Calum Chambers, despite his ’senior moments’ in Arsenal’s back four throughout the last campaign. Noticeably, only two Gunners in this squad, though that just happens to be two more than Liverpool or Citeh can muster, the latter presumably playing the Academy catch-up card for a year or five, the former preferring to pillage Saints periodically rather than pursue any worthwhile youth policy themselves - in any event, it’s the least of their worries. Little wonder neither club features amongst the top four providers of young talent, their places filled by none other than ourselves [with three] and Spurs, who will be revelling in the glory, glory of having no less than a quartet of representatives. Credit to them, not only for topping the list, but also for giving good account of themselves at almost every youth level this season. The mix is marked, Dier, Pritchard and Kane prospering at home, with Carroll ploughing a lonelier furrow, in every sense of the word. Looking further down the list in search of alternate heroes, I can only find John Stones and Saido Berahino, both rumoured to be on the cusp of big money moves in the summer, but stay-at-home lads at heart, whilst Danny Ings is a different kettle of fish entirely, in that he has agitated for a move for some time and it’s now inevitable following Burnley’s relegation. But it is Harry Kane who has really become the archetypal ‘spur’ within his personal gang of four, spanning the home/loan/return-to-club format before emerging as the shiniest example of how the process can produce top quality on completion and, as far as Chelsea are concerned, it is at this point that the comparisons become interesting. Short-term and internationally orientated, we will see something of a domestic striker shootout in this Under-21event, between Kane, Ings, Berhino and Bamford, each one at a different stage in his career after following diverse paths. It falls to Gareth Southgate to choose a running order, but looking at each form horse individually… Kane has made a virtue out of being willing and able all season, making him the Euro front-runner and rightfully so, but the price he pays will be pressure, the sound of Ings and Berahino hooves hard on his heels, with the possibility of Patrick coming up on Championship rails (a complete outsider) to pip them all in a race that could, long-windedly, be called a Potent Premiership Striker Selling Plate. Of course, this imagined state of affairs is both literally and metaphorically skewed by Bamford who, unlike the other two in the chasing pack, has no acknowledged want-away intent and, even though he is currently way down the field and out of sight in the Premiership sense, has a stable place to return to right here, should Jose choose to sanction it. And this is the crux of the matter - the true extent to which the boss wishes to embrace youth within next season’s squad. Contrastingly, he has his prize possession on show in the shape of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, alongside Nathaniel Chalobah, whose loan placements will soon number as many as Kane’s, albeit without the same degree of success. Will their performances at this tournament give Jose cause to reflect on our home grown English element, or have decisions already been made? Either way, we shall soon find out, but in the meantime we can be certain of one thing - despite constant carping about the failure of our youth policy, the evidence is to the contrary - we are, in effect, much better off than our nearest rivals…. it’s just that the English media always recoils from rubbishing the rest. . Prose Giles Smith. Amusing title for post Giles Smith. Nowhere as witty as Giles Smith Dorest. Posts something that is obviously not off the cuff and takes a week to compose Dorset. Says as it is whether you like it or not Blue Daze. Dorset sorry mate but i can't read your posts you just don't write like an average football fan. Your neither the man on the terrace (oh Dorset can one recall those halcyon days) or the man in the press box.
June 19, 20159 yr Prose Giles Smith. Amusing title for post Giles Smith. Nowhere as witty as Giles Smith Dorest. Posts something that is obviously not off the cuff and takes a week to compose Dorset. Says as it is whether you like it or not Blue Daze. Dorset sorry mate but i can't read your posts you just don't write like an average football fan. Your neither the man on the terrace (oh Dorset can one recall those halcyon days) or the man in the press box. The inability of a reader to digest a well-written and insightful piece of writing doesn't highlight an issue on the author's part - it highlights an issue on the reader's part.
June 19, 20159 yr Prose Giles Smith. Amusing title for post Giles Smith. Nowhere as witty as Giles Smith Dorest. Posts something that is obviously not off the cuff and takes a week to compose Dorset. Says as it is whether you like it or not Blue Daze. Dorset sorry mate but i can't read your posts you just don't write like an average football fan. Your neither the man on the terrace (oh Dorset can one recall those halcyon days) or the man in the press box. That crack will kill you eventually.
June 19, 20159 yr Prose Giles Smith. Amusing title for post Giles Smith. Nowhere as witty as Giles Smith Dorest. Posts something that is obviously not off the cuff and takes a week to compose Dorset. Says as it is whether you like it or not Blue Daze. Dorset sorry mate but i can't read your posts you just don't write like an average football fan. Your neither the man on the terrace (oh Dorset can one recall those halcyon days) or the man in the press box. To be totally fair I agree on your view of Dorset's posts, more on the need to start a new topic when one exists than the content. I chose not to comment generally but sit quietly annoyed that we suddenly have two topics discussing one thing. Up to individuals how they write though and how long it takes to write the posts.
June 21, 20159 yr England U21 won. Chalobah and RLC have both played, Chalobah made another 90 minutes.
June 22, 20159 yr RLC played well when he came on.Has to start against Italy. Yes I think he really changed the game in England's favour. Hopefully won himself a starting spot vs. Italy.
June 22, 20159 yr Chalaboh isn't good enough, decent in the tackle but doesn't get around enough or with enough urgency. Makes you realise just how good Matic is! Rlc will hopefully get a start Wednesday, has looked good when coming on very composed and assured.
June 24, 20159 yr Chalobah just had a terrible game. Agreed, disappointing RLC didn't start after his promising cameo the other night. Stones has few mistakes in him too,he would have to be very willing to learn to be a starter at Chelsea. Poor overall team performance for England.
June 24, 20159 yr Chalobah just had a terrible game. So did Harry Kane, hopefully now the media w**kfest will end and they'll realise he's a pretty average forward who got lucky for a season.
