The Official Thread of Chelsea FC

[nrico2006]

You're right about when the goal was scored in the last ten minutes but they started out with
Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Ferreira, McEachran, Essien, Ramires, Kalou, Drogba and Malouda
and still played poorly. Agree on the penalties though, the game could easily have had a very different look. Their luck has certainly nosedived but it's here you learn a bit about cartain players and about how crucial Lampard is to the midfield.
Still think the team that finishes above Chelsea will win the league.

What if more than one team finishes above them?

[under the bar]

Speaking of kids, who was the last Chelsea first-team regular to have come up through the youth system?

[nrico2006]

Speaking of kids, who was the last Chelsea first-team regular to have come up through the youth system?

Probably Terry.

[ross4life]

I suppose Norf will name McEachran but at just 17 who knows can he make it at Chelsea? I expect Chelsea to go on a spending spree for experienced players in Jan to replace the departed Deco,Ballack,Cole & Belletti

[Norf Tyrone]

Granted. Very few have come through and been regulars, but some have yielded decent returns in terms of finance, Sinclair, Stoch, Carlton Cole, Huth etc.

However Chelsea's planned strategy re youth players has been mentioned numerous times on here before if you want to read back. The strategy has probably not worked as quickly as planned, but there are some modest signs of working at this stage at least.

I suppose Norf will name McEachran but at just 17 who knows can he make it at Chelsea? I expect Chelsea to go on a spending spree for experienced players in Jan to replace the departed Deco,Ballack,Cole & Belletti

Chelsea have not gone on a spending spree for 4 or 5 years bar back a season or two ago when net spend was circa £30 million and with UEFA's self sufficency metric in place, and Chelsea's own self sufficent drive, I'd be very surprised if that happens. Remember Chelsea signed Ramires and Benayoun to replace two of the four above, and the stategy is/ was to promote MacEacheran, Van Aarnholt, Kakuta, Brauma and Borini (He will now leave) to supplement the rest.

There is a difficulty in bringing young players through at Chelsea though as there are very few games where-by a manager can blood a youngster as every game is a 'must win' as per the media. Look at Liverpool, and show me the 'quality' youngsters that they are bringing through. Even at United, bar possibly the twins, the remainder look average squad players at best IMHO. Even some of that heralded youth at United have been bought for big money, Smalling, Beba, Obertan for example.

[ross4life]

I suppose Norf will name McEachran but at just 17 who knows can he make it at Chelsea? I expect Chelsea to go on a spending spree for experienced players in Jan to replace the departed Deco,Ballack,Cole & Belletti

Chelsea have not gone on a spending spree for 4 or 5 years bar back a season or two ago when net spend was circa £30 million and with UEFA's self sufficency metric in place, and Chelsea's own self sufficent drive, I'd be very surprised if that happens. Remember Chelsea signed Ramires and Benayoun to replace two of the four above, and the stategy is/ was to promote MacEacheran, Van Aarnholt, Kakuta, Brauma and Borini (He will now leave) to supplement the rest.

There is a difficulty in bringing young players through at Chelsea though as there are very few games where-by a manager can blood a youngster as every game is a 'must win' as per the media. Look at Liverpool, and show me the 'quality' youngsters that they are bringing through. Even at United, bar possibly the twins, the remainder look average squad players at best IMHO. Even some of that heralded youth at United have been bought for big money, Smalling, Beba, Obertan for example.

Chelsea lack of spending sprees of late might have something to do with three league titles won among others & maybe it would have been better to have signed two/three bargain buys instead of the large fee they paid for Ramires?

I hope screenexile doesn't see your comment on the twins! he doesn't believe in youth development unless they are born in the place they play for.

[Norf Tyrone]

I suppose Norf will name McEachran but at just 17 who knows can he make it at Chelsea? I expect Chelsea to go on a spending spree for experienced players in Jan to replace the departed Deco,Ballack,Cole & Belletti

Chelsea have not gone on a spending spree for 4 or 5 years bar back a season or two ago when net spend was circa £30 million and with UEFA's self sufficency metric in place, and Chelsea's own self sufficent drive, I'd be very surprised if that happens. Remember Chelsea signed Ramires and Benayoun to replace two of the four above, and the stategy is/ was to promote MacEacheran, Van Aarnholt, Kakuta, Brauma and Borini (He will now leave) to supplement the rest.

There is a difficulty in bringing young players through at Chelsea though as there are very few games where-by a manager can blood a youngster as every game is a 'must win' as per the media. Look at Liverpool, and show me the 'quality' youngsters that they are bringing through. Even at United, bar possibly the twins, the remainder look average squad players at best IMHO. Even some of that heralded youth at United have been bought for big money, Smalling, Beba, Obertan for example.

Chelsea lack of spending sprees of late might have something to do with three league titles won among others & maybe it would have been better to have signed two/three bargain buys instead of the large fee they paid for Ramires?

I hope screenexile doesn't see your comment on the twins! he doesn't believe in youth development unless they are born in the place they play for.

Probably a fair point re Ramieres, although hopefully time will help him settle. I think the theory probably was that two or three squad players would stiffle the 'youth' coming through.

[Norf Tyrone]

Good stuff. Rumours of a new deal for Ivan as well!


NEW DEAL FOR KAKUTA
Posted on: Tue 21 Dec 2010
Chelsea Football Club is pleased to announce that Gael Kakuta has signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract.

The 19-year-old originally joined the club in July 2007 and made his first-team debut in November 2009. This season he has made four starts and five substitute appearances taking his overall tally to five starts plus eight games as a sub.

Having committed himself to the club until 2015, Kakuta spoke to the Official Chelsea Website about his delight at the new deal and his immediate targets.

'Since I signed for Chelsea when I was 16 all I was thinking about was to get to the first team. Now I have been playing a few times with the first team and I have signed for four-and-a-half more years I have to make a way for myself into the starting 11, and make my dream come true.

'The manager said to me it is the right time to play and I think for me it is as well. It's my job to do my best and try to play more often and show the coach that I am good enough to play in the team.'

Kakuta has progressed into the France Under 20 squad this season having won the European Under 19s Championships with his nation in the summer. He was named Uefa's Golden Player for the tournament.

At Chelsea this season Carlo Ancelotti has deployed him as a wide man in the front three and used him in five out of six Champions League group games, starting him in two including the home game against group runners-up Marseille.

'It is a dream when you are young to play in the Champions League and I hope I will play more games.

'It is always good to play with players with more experience, you learn quicker and to improve quicker is good for our development.'

[ExiledGael]

Heard recently that only once this season have Chelsea started a player under 23 years old in the league, Kakuta.
You're right about the United fringe players. Rafael is starting to really impress but the rest have a long long way to go. This time last year though you would have said the same of Evans and look at him now, woeful.

[ross4life]

Heard recently that only once this season have Chelsea started a player under 23 years old in the league, Kakuta.
You're right about the United fringe players. Rafael is starting to really impress but the rest have a long long way to go. This time last year though you would have said the same of Evans and look at him now, woeful.

Tom Cleverley & Danny Welbeck are having fine seasons out on loan though remains to be seen if they make it as future United players.

[Norf Tyrone]

Heard recently that only once this season have Chelsea started a player under 23 years old in the league, Kakuta.
You're right about the United fringe players. Rafael is starting to really impress but the rest have a long long way to go. This time last year though you would have said the same of Evans and look at him now, woeful.

I'd be surprised if Sturridge hasn't started a league game? Anyhow look at the starts gained in the CL for U23s, Sturridge, Kakuta, Brauma, MacEacheran, PVA etc.

Chelsea have been criticised for not playing young players but now they do, it's switched to not starting young players! What next! Direction of goodness.

[Norf Tyrone]

Anelka on the bench. Good. Ruthlessness from CA.

Pub time for me.

[ross4life]

Anelka on the bench. Good. Ruthlessness from CA.

Pub time for me.

Nicolas Anelka is not in the Squad confirmed knee injury.

[superblues]

still something in this for chelsea

[Bingo]

Unreal. Chelsea's worse run of form since they where formed in 2003.