Frank Arnesen

[abramovich]

Is he doing his job properly?

I remember us poaching him from the Spuds, the scandal that ensued and a substantial compensation we eventually paid to secure his services since he was touted as the best expert in scouting and youth developing business. I remember reading how it was him who discovered Ronaldo (the Brazilian one) and how excited I was about the idea of us getting the world's top youngsters at Chelsea after years of having shambles of the youth setup.

Now, don't get me wrong, these things take time and I do see some progress, we're getting better, the youth team reached the FA Cup final last season, some exciting prospects like Kakuta, Stoch and Tejera are being talked about as potential future stars and the young Argentinean Di Santo is even included in this year's first team squad. But do any of you feel that considering the money involved and time already put in, we may have the right to expect more?

I watched the Da Silva twins and Possebon for Manure and they looked very good, and Wenger continues to bring great players at low cost: Eduardo, Sagna,Vela,etc I watch them and think: where were our scouts? Why are we still second best when it comes to bringing top young talent?

[g3.7]

a 25 year old eduardo at £8m and a similarly aged sagna at £7m are hardly the type of players we will see- arnesen mainly deals with the ages of 16 and younger- those brazilian boys and vela were signed AGES ago. aside from anelka, who was wanted by everyone, who did wenger bring through early on? no-one, because it takes several years, and a lot of luck for these things to happen.

to answer you, no, I think arnesen is doing very well. there isn't much more that can be asked of him. I don't think we are second best at all, we have loads of youth internationals but it's silly to a) expect them to turn up in the first team well before they're ready, and b) to forget that our youth system is in it's infancy, whereas man united's has been going for decades (and since the beckham / giggs etc generation only o'shea and fletcher have emerged really) and wenger's for 10 years.it's easy to get impatient, but I think you have to remember it's a seriously long term "project".

[loz]

Now, don't get me wrong, these things take time and I do see some progress, we're getting better, the youth team reached the FA Cup final last season, some exciting prospects like Kakuta, Stoch and Tejera are being talked about as potential future stars and the young Argentinean Di Santo is even included in this year's first team squad.

AM I the only one who read this and thought of 'Apart from........what have the Romans ever done for us?'

At the risk of making himeself pat himself on the head (I recommend using a frying pan) I agree entirely with G4. I think Arnsen is doing a fine job and ia playing a huge part in resurrecting a youth system which we have shamefully neglected for far too long.

[dkw]

AM I the only one who read this and thought of 'Apart from........what have the Romans ever done for us?'

At the risk of making himeself pat himself on the head (I recommend using a frying pan) I agree entirely with G4. I think Arnsen is doing a fine job and ia playing a huge part in resurrecting a youth system which we have shamefully neglected for far too long.

when roman took over our youth system was a shambles, so he brought in one of the best around in arnesen. since then our youth structure, including facilities has become one of the top acadmys in europe. highlighted by our acadamy getting to the fa youth cup final. we wont know how well hes done his job for a couple of years yet, until we see the fruits of his labours and some players emerge into our 1st team squad.

[Killbill]

AM I the only one who read this and thought of 'Apart from........what have the Romans ever done for us?'

At the risk of making himeself pat himself on the head (I recommend using a frying pan) I agree entirely with G4. I think Arnsen is doing a fine job and ia playing a huge part in resurrecting a youth system which we have shamefully neglected for far too long.

Yeah but apart for doing a fine job, resurrecting a youth system, getting better, reaching the youth FA Cup final, getting some exciting prospects and the young Argentinean Di Santo what has Arnesen ever done for us?

[Tim W]

- arnesen mainly deals with the ages of 16 and younger-

Bit like Gary Glitter then

[dkw]

Bit like Gary Glitter then

careful...

[barak81]

The question is not whether or not arnesan is doing his job, its about whether or not our manager (who ever that is at any time) is willing to take the risk...

So far all 3 managers have stated the preshure to deliver instantly and that can go against giving youth a chance some times

[Jimboola69]

Frank seems to be doing a fine job. Not only has he been recruiting, but also was the vision for much of the youth set up and facilities.

All this was covered in various newspapers and on Sky this past few weeks.

Anyone thinking he was not pulling his weight is frankly...a numpty!

[BLUENUT]

Frank seems to be doing a fine job. Not only has he been recruiting, but also was the vision for much of the youth set up and facilities.

All this was covered in various newspapers and on Sky this past few weeks.

Anyone thinking he was not pulling his weight is frankly...a numpty!

Anyone think Arnesen was worth £8m? and possibily the cost of the best manager the club's ever seen?