A long, long read about the Chelsa academy seems as good a way as any to start a thread like this: https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/features/2017/7/24/16018544/the-chelsea-academy-conundrum The article talks as well about the "elite" model of complimenting big money signings with academy graduates rather than frittering away the transfer budget on squad players, a model I've long wanted my own club to follow:
It's hard to see these players getting much op at top sides We are gonna have to rely on lower level prem sides and he champ to give game time to players who then may be bought by top sides
Good day to start as one of Chelsea's plethora of 'golden generation(s)' from about the '94s down in Lewis Baker is joining Boro on a 2-year loan deal. Of course Chalobah & RLC have been ear-marked ahead of him but at 22 & really no prospect of playing for Chelsea there is a new loan in the form of 2 years so that Chelsea can max their sale value on him if he performs. http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sp..._One_in__one_out_at_the_Riverside/?ref=twtrec
It could work out ok if they get promoted this season, but I'd be a bit disappointed if he was still playing in the Championship at the age of 24.
His mediocre U21 Euros can't have helped but interesting to note that no Premier League loan interest whatsoever seemed to materialise for a player who played a pretty big role for Vitesse in the Eredivise last season while Brown, Palmer and Abraham have all made the step up after good Championship loans.
I can see why there is a lack of interest in Baker. And it's been evident for quite some time. He is one player I wouldn't criticise Chelsea for not playing in the first team.
Like others, I'll be interested to see how Steve Gerrard does with the Liverpoolu18s. It's presumably his route to managing the first team eventually. He said yesterday he has been trying to "man up" the u17 players, to "toughen them up" so they can adjust to the requirements of u18 football. And that Klopp wants players to play at a high tempo and be physical. So they must be ready for when their chance comes. This isn't a change of course - they have expressed a similar policy before (and won't be unusual in having this approach). I wonder how much his TV punditry encroaches on his work.
Doesn't seem of much interest but Sports Illustrated have a piece on youth football today, with particular attention to Sancho: https://www.si.com/soccer/2017/08/0...citys-17-year-old-rebel-demise-youth-football
I don't really get the argument that article is making. Sancho is an example of the spoiled English youth players who have big wages and don't need to improve...cause he's turning down a big contract in order to get a better pathway to first team football? Seems jumbled.
I'm kind of surprised that a Newcastle or Burnley haven't gone for him but like you say he didn't pull up any trees for the U21's that could have worked against him. Don't think they have used up there one Premier League loan option unless I've missed it.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...ings-with-watford-limbo-chelsea-a7886941.html This isn't just a Chelsea thread, but that's an interesting bit of info. Chalobah would have been loaned out again this summer if he had stayed at Chelsea rather than being given a squad role to try and build on last season. This was quite pointed:
Seems like young players best chance to play for Chelsea is to leave and do very well and be bought back for £20m+, until that happens they just won't be seen as a first teamer
I would expect future England internationals Dujon Sterling and Hudson Odio to get chances at Chelsea.
Without a fundamental shift in club philosophy I don't. The players coming through the system are held to impossibly high standards that can't be reached without regular games so it's a total Catch 22
Interesting that Swansea have signed 21 year old Courtney Baker-Richardson from a non-league team while they already have Abraham there.
Is it? Surely he'll just be an U23 flier project and it has no impact on the first team at all. Definitely isn't competition for Tammy.
Like JRSG says, this guy is being reported as a project player for the reserves. But even if he was first team competition for Abraham that would be an increase not a decrease in the amount of opportunity for English players.
He's gone on a single-season loan in the end. Makes more sense to me - they can reassess next summer when they know what level Baker's performing at and which league Middlesbrough are going to be in.
Sterling didn't impress me this summer, big engine but suspect technique. Far from guaranteed to become a Senior international. Other u19 showed more quality this summer
I see Nmecha is playing for the City U23s tonight. He's the type of player who too often doesn't get a loan at the right team. He's by no means a standout prospect but we need these 2nd/3rd tier talents to get out and give themselves the best chance at surprising us and kick starting their development. I'm right in thinking he's not eligible for the Youth Champions League either so it's just u23 football for him which does nothing. Suliman, Darnell Johnson, Josh DaSilva + Cameron Humphreys are others who are in danger of having very quiet years that do nothing for them.
Interesting that Will Hughes isn't even on the bench for Watford today, early days I know but kind of surprised especially when he's not listed as injured. Good to see TAA starting for Liverpool and Gomez and Solanke on the bench.
I think we can get used to this unfortunately. 2 Englishmen in Watford, 2 in Liverpool's starting XI. Really annoying this.
Watford have always had a pretty pathetic showing of English players under the Pozzos. If anything two is progress.
Yeah but this summer they started to buy English. Liverpool is disappointing though. Also just seen Lewis Cook is not in Bournemouth's matchday squad.