Dont have a too much time to do a proper job of this and I know I am missing some players, but I am going back to 1999 and focusing on youth players who were sold/released. As I said I know I have missed some players so please try to be understanding. Neil Clement Nick Crittenden Luca Percassi Stephen Broad Courtney Pitt Mikael Forssell Sam Parkin Mark Nichols John Harley Warren Cummings Rob Wolleston Leon Knight Stuart Reddignton Jay Richardson Nick Colgan Valerio Di Cesare Filipe Oliveria Pat Baldwin Carlton Cole Yves Makaba-Makamblay Craig Rocastle Rhys Evans Jean-Yves Anis Lenny Pidgely Joel Kitimirike Sebastian Kniessl Alexis Nicolas Scott Sinclair Franco DiSanto Miroslov Stoch Ben Sahar Sam Tillen Steven Watt Dean Furman Filipe Morias Dean Smith Danny Hollands Joe Keenan Anthony Grant Jack Watkins Phillip Youngshusband James Youngshusband Jimmy Smith Harry Worley Adrian Pettigrew Shaun Cummings Tom Taiwo Liam Bridcutt Lee Sawyer Carl Magnay Fabio Ferreira Jordan Hibbert Frank Nouble Nana Ofori-Twumasi Ricardo Fernandes Rati Aleksidze Paul Hughes Nick Hamann Jack Watkins James Simmonds Sam Hurrell Billy Joe-King Morten Nielson Sergio Tejera Nicolas Hiemann Aldi Haxhia Tom Hayden Jack Saville Nikki Ahmed I would say just looking at the list and being fair to Father Time over the years that Neil Clement would have been a solid squad player for us for several years but he was probably not going to play during the Roman Revolution. I think the attacking players in Carlton Cole, Scott Sinclair, Franco DiSanto, Miroslov Stoch and Frank Nouble may have been able to contribute in some form this season. Not all of them but at least one of those would have possibly helped up front (C. Cole, DiSanto, Nouble). Sinclair and Stoch would have been nice options to provide pace and trickery on the flanks. Of course this is being said with the terms that the youth players would actually be used and would play. Tejera may have been, or could end up being a decent loss, but Josh will hopefully help erase that memory.
Mbark Boussoufa. Not really a top player but he seems to have made a good career for himself at Anderlecht, has a really good relationship with Lukaku on the pitch. I believe the likes of JMAC, Bruma, PVA will help erase the memory of that giant list you posted. And before you guys start ranting over players like Ryan Bertrand, i didn't add him/others as i haven't really seen too much of championship footy/other leagues our youngens are loaned to this season.
Good list mate, thanks for compiling (quite helpful context for the thread title too!) I remember watching Harley early on and thinking he had potential. I'm still surprised that Forsell never panned out. Seemed to have most of the tools but never could put it together. An early game (his debut?) against Oxford in a cup match he scored two crackers and I thought we had the next big thing. But what strikes me most about the list is how lightweight they all seem relative to their peers. Not much power or muscle in the group (and honestly something that worries me a tad about Josh, though I think he will be better than his size). Btw, I think Eddie will tell you that Lenny has one of the most amazing streaks in club history. That of being in the most trophy presentations with absolutely no contribution other than heating a two square foot bit of pine. He truly was the David May of Chelsea and no cup lifting picture was complete without the ubiquitous Mr Pidgley
Ahh, the magic of YouTube [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsNRx46vaoo"]YouTube - Mikael Forssell Chelsea debut[/ame] He had a great physical presence for a striker and a pure beautiful shot. This was from when he was 17 and all the potential in the world. One of the big letdowns of our young crop of stars who never quite shone.
That's why when you're 17, the most important thing you, as a kid can do, is stop listening to those who inflate your ego.
I remember the time w/ Forsell coming up. He got injured a couple of times & that prevented some of his progress. Also @ Chelsea there is a lot of competition. One must be playing at the top of their game all of the time. It's a Once in a Lifetime deal. Mess it up & that is it. Ask Mr. Mutu or Mark Bosnich. Ok, those examples are extreme mess up cases, but my point is that one receives a chance to play w/ Chels, the door of opportunity does not stay open very long.
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"Come on, what am I gonna do? Just all of a sudden jump up and grind my feet on somebody's couch like it's something to do? Come on. I got a little more sense then that." "Yeah, I remember grinding my feet on Eddie's couch."
Yeah, in fairness Forssell might have panned out differently had he not had so many niggling injuries, but even had he been 100% helathy it was unlikely that he would ever break into the starting lineup on a consistent basis with Zola, JFH and Guddy also in the squad. I think he found his true level during his loan spells at Brum. In my mind he was a slower version of Kalou with a much better first touch and slightly better finishing skills.
good shout there I do quite like the thread title as well. Great point on how lightweight some of those players were, although it has to be pointed out that this was during a period when we were largely ignoring our youth setup and did not scout or invest nearly as well as we have done to date. I believe that issue causes a great deal of strife with several of our youngsters. Many of them who probably should stick around another year or two decide to jump ship much to their failing. Forsell was not really our youth product to begin with but I do agree that injuries hampered his development although he may not have broken into the stable of forwards listed by you.
Just wanted to take a moment to take note, today is Jose Mourinho's birthday. Happy Birthday to him. <iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/sP29nW6e5hY" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen></iframe>
Chelsea Old Boys Rest in Peace Chelsea League Champion Lee Stubbs http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6719037,00.html
Re: Chelsea Old Boys Watched Year One this week...we pleasantly surprised to see Vinnie Jones is still gainfully employed.
Re: Chelsea Old Boys good from Vinnie always thought we got him 3 years too late but that was the case with many players we signed back then
Jimmy Smith starting to put the goals away for Orient good for him. Always did his best, but just wanted top level quality.
Not sure if you would regard Andy King (currently at Leicester) as a success from our youth academy. Got released at 15 (2004) and is now a decent midfielder with 7 caps so far for the Welsh national team.
Reports coming in from Germany about Ballack might be hanging up the boots at the end of the season. Hopefully he will be featured on Sunday vs. Stuttgart.