31 minutes ago, Nibs said:

We have had some really good youngsters since about 2009 and our record of winning FA Youth Cup 6 times in last 8 years backs that up.

On a bit of a tangent, and not really within that time frame, but I did particularly enjoy watching Frank Nouble run around aimlessly for Newport on Wednesday night.

His career average (as a centre forward bear in mind) is about 1 in 7, roughly half of his career goals coming from two seasons in League Two and one in the Chinese second division.

To be honest, based on what I saw of him at Chelsea... sounds about right!

If you can believe what you read from insider sources from the club, roman wants us to give more youth a chance in the first team. Maybe conte has been told that if he can to integrate a few more youngsters.

It is probably just coincidence that ampadu and hudson-odoi are performing so well at youth level though. Last season we didn't have the youth players good enough to get into the team. 

7 hours ago, RIP Mourinho said:

You haven't really disagreed with me here..

i disagree that the players you've mentioned, bar christensen, were as good as hudson odoi and ampadu, yes.

18 hours ago, opinionsarelike said:

i disagree that the players you've mentioned, bar christensen, were as good as hudson odoi and ampadu, yes.

I was on about the team as a whole was better. I even said CHO and Ampadu would make it, but no one else in that current team would.. We had several in that previous team that could be in the squad at least.

14 hours ago, RIP Mourinho said:

I was on about the team as a whole was better. I even said CHO and Ampadu would make it, but no one else in that current team would.. We had several in that previous team that could be in the squad at least.

I think Mason Mount has a good chance of making it.

His next move is crucial though

There's a few that haven't been mentioned tbh, Reece James is a great crosser, I'd go as far to say, he has a better delivery than most of the first team wing backs, not sure about Emerson. Bulka is the best keeper I've seen in our academy, Blackman is decent, but this kid could be special. Nartey & Trev Chalobah have also looked good lately and Redan is a nice finisher, no doubt we have some talent. Other loanees not mentioned, I am keen on Tomori and Ugbo, not sure if he's had the best loan spell unfortunately, but scored yesterday.

5 hours ago, Floyd25 said:

There's a few that haven't been mentioned tbh, Reece James is a great crosser, I'd go as far to say, he has a better delivery than most of the first team wing backs, not sure about Emerson. Bulka is the best keeper I've seen in our academy, Blackman is decent, but this kid could be special. Nartey & Trev Chalobah have also looked good lately and Redan is a nice finisher, no doubt we have some talent. Other loanees not mentioned, I am keen on Tomori and Ugbo, not sure if he's had the best loan spell unfortunately, but scored yesterday.

Barnsley fans were scathing about Ugbo.

http://barnsleyfc.org.uk/threads/ugbo-returns-to-chelsea.262542/

5 hours ago, Argo said:

Barnsley fans were scathing about Ugbo.

http://barnsleyfc.org.uk/threads/ugbo-returns-to-chelsea.262542/

Yea, that doesn't surprise me, Dons fans were pissed that they were signing him. He had a great record at youth level, albeit not as clinical as Tammy and Solanke, but he has pace and power, I've seen him score a variety of goals. I've not seen much of his loan spell, could be he just can't cut it, or a confidence issue.

Interesting that tonight the youth cup u18s neither of them are playing or on the bench this evening. Dujon sterling is playing, but not hudson-odoi. Maybe a sign both will feature on Friday I hope. No reason both can't start for us. 

I just wish that Conte had the balls to give Hudson Odoi a real chance

Edited February 13, 20188 yr by Lucashm

Friday. Hopefully. 

Hopefully 2 big performance for them.. Looking forward to being friday

OMG OMG OMG.

Okay, Hudson odoi NEEDS to absolutely tear Hull City a new one, so he can hopefully be part of our game against Barcelona

50 minutes ago, Lucashm said:

OMG OMG OMG.

Okay, Hudson odoi NEEDS to absolutely tear Hull City a new one, so he can hopefully be part of our game against Barcelona

No, there's not need for it. They are in their first academic year out of school (for perspective at the same age Messi was awaiting his pro debut), the Domestic cups is a good place to start, no need to throw them in in such games this early.

41 minutes ago, Argo said:

No, there's not need for it. They are in their first academic year out of school (for perspective at the same age Messi was awaiting his pro debut), the Domestic cups is a good place to start, no need to throw them in in such games this early.

I think there is, i am not saying this because i like CHO, i am saying it because i genuinely think he is good enough to be a part of the squad

40 minutes ago, Lucashm said:

I think there is, i am not saying this because i like CHO, i am saying it because i genuinely think he is good enough to be a part of the squad

I think he's going to be a gem. I hope i'm not speaking too soon but him, Ampadu and Mount look like they are going to be serious players for us, but putting him in the squad to face Barca at the age of 17 after two sub appearances and potentially one start against an out of form Championship club is just far too much too soon.

If he and Amps get about 5-10 appearances each to build on going into next season i will be delighted.

I hope that Ampadu gets a start in midfield rather than defence. His best position imo

13 minutes ago, Argo said:

I think he's going to be a gem. I hope i'm not speaking too soon but him, Ampadu and Mount look like they are going to be serious players for us, but putting him in the squad to face Barca at the age of 17 after two sub appearances and potentially one start against an out of form Championship club is just far too much too soon.

If he and Amps get about 5-10 appearances each to build on going into next season i will be delighted.

What you say makes sense, but IDK when you think about it, most of the big players like Hazard, Neymar,Messi and co started to become serious players for their clubs at around the same age (16-18 years old) and were thrown at the deep end to perform. I am not saying that he is going to be as good as these players, but i truly believe in the saying "If you´re good enough, you´re old enough", and man, when i see this kid playing i am left in awe at the amount of skill, vision, end product and phisicality that he has, IDK whatever IT is, this kid has it, and i am a firm believer that if we give him the chance, even if it´s against Barça, he will grab the game by the scruff of the neck and become a big player for us

53 minutes ago, Lucashm said:

What you say makes sense, but IDK when you think about it, most of the big players like Hazard, Neymar,Messi and co started to become serious players for their clubs at around the same age (16-18 years old) and were thrown at the deep end to perform. I am not saying that he is going to be as good as these players, but i truly believe in the saying "If you´re good enough, you´re old enough", and man, when i see this kid playing i am left in awe at the amount of skill, vision, end product and phisicality that he has, IDK whatever IT is, this kid has it, and i am a firm believer that if we give him the chance, even if it´s against Barça, he will grab the game by the scruff of the neck and become a big player for us

Maybe but i highly doubt any had such a high profile match for their 4th pro game. Messi's first huge match was the CL at Stamford Bridge over a year after his actual debut. I just feel playing vs Barca for his 4th ever pro game will be too much.

3 hours ago, Lucashm said:

OMG OMG OMG.

Okay, Hudson odoi NEEDS to absolutely tear Hull City a new one, so he can hopefully be part of our game against Barcelona

Calm down. Even I'm not that optimistic. Barcelona would be a fantastic experience for either one or bith of those lads, but don't see them getting a look in. 

1 hour ago, enigma said:

Calm down. Even I'm not that optimistic. Barcelona would be a fantastic experience for either one or bith of those lads, but don't see them getting a look in. 

Point is, i dont think it would be crazy to give him a chance.

As a matter of fact, i think it would actually enhance our chances of winning, because Pedro and Willian have not been up to standard this season, albeit Willian less so.

And Hudson Odoi is a much better dribbler than both of them, considering that their fullbacks are Sergi Roberto and Jordi Alba, having CHO running at them would be glorious

I'd imagine the pair of them will return to youth team football after Friday. We have a  Champions League U19 v Feyenoord on Tuesday.

Crazy that they're getting first team minutes and also eligible for U19 football

I can just see Valverde rocking up at The Bridge with a youngster with very little senior level play time under his belt on Tuesday.

Let's be real here, he (HO) looks useful, has potential but I wouldn't want to throw him in against a very experienced, extremely talented team like Barca who have had enough problems with us in the past to take the forthcoming match very seriously.  We're not exactly their favourite team to play against.

Softly softly with him or else we may catch a cold on the pitch and/or end up with a deluded youngster whose agent/mum/dad & himself suddenly start demanding £100k per week and it all going tits up from there.

Edited February 17, 20188 yr by Bloo
Spelling

46 minutes ago, Bloo said:

I can just see Valverde rocking up at The Bridge with a youngster with very little senior level play time under his belt on Tuesday.

Let's be real here, he (HO) looks useful, has potential but I wouldn't want to throw him in against a very experienced, extremely talented team like Barca who have had enough problems with us in the past to take the forthcoming match very seriously.  We're not exactly their favourite team to play against.

Softly softly with him or else we may catch a cold on the pitch and/or end up with a deluded youngster whose agent/mum/dad & himself suddenly start demanding £100k per week and it all going tits up from there.

Ideally both players still need at least 2 years if regular football in a strong league. I would loan them out to the Bundesliga, renowned for producing a constant stream of young stars. An Europa team or a mid table bundesliga team would be perfect e.g Augsburg or Borussia Monch.