1982 replies to this topic

[badboy]

Joseph cfc, on Jun 18 2008, 17:54, said:

Gael Kakuta looks an outstanding young player.
Ghosts past opposition with the ball 'glued' to his feet in a similar style to say, Messi? Not full of tricks as such, just a (in his age group) world class dribbler of the ball. This is consistant too, iv watched him play alot on CTV and twice live, and its hard to pick out a display where he's been anything less than 3rd best player on the pitch. This however is playing against opposition of a similar age and experience to him, which of course, is a point worth making.
He seems to have what is sometimes called a 'football brain'. As good as he is on the ball he links up well and can deliver killer passes as good as anybody in our youth set up. I couldnt give you exact stats but I can remember at least three examples off the top of my head where he has provided decent assists. He has pace which is so sought after these days, and pace with the ball at his feet.

Usefull pace shall we say, rather than, Sean Wright-Phillips pace.

My only concern in dropping into a premiership game would be the size of the lad. As skillfull and as talented as he is, he is small. Both in height and in stature. This isn't always as big a problem as its made out to be though I think that given a season of maybe 3-4 starts against cannon fodder and in cup games, and maybe 10-15 mid to late sub appearences to build his experience he could impose himself as a serious star of our league.

Consider Cristiano Ronaldo or Cesc Fabregas at a similar age. This is the sort of player we are talking about.

****ing hell is he really a leo messi type player oh my god. Leo messi was really short at that age he took drugs to get taller.

[strong centreback]

badboy, on Jun 18 2008, 22:50, said:

****ing hell is he really a leo messi type player oh my god. Leo messi was really short at that age he took drugs to get taller.

Pretty sure messi's was a medical condition, hence the pescription for medicenes to help him continue to grow

[hanuma]

badboy, on Jun 19 2008, 00:50, said:

****ing hell is he really a leo messi type player oh my god. Leo messi was really short at that age he took drugs to get taller.

Calm down. Messi already looked ready for a jump up to the Barcelona first team at the same age.
Gael is a special talent in his age group, but he has a lot of growing to do, in the physical sense and as a footballer.

The comparisons with Messi, playing wise, really begin and end with height, position and the fact that they are both very tough to get off the ball. Their styles aren't really very similar and the one thing that made Messi capable of playing first team football so young was his precocious vision for the game, something that Kakuta has, but it is not as advanced.

That said, I've not seen any Chelsea forward or midfielder as good as him at the same age.

[badboy]

[quote name='hanuma' date='Jun 19 2008, 00:08' post='636605']
Calm down. Messi already looked ready for a jump up to the Barcelona first team at the same age.
Gael is a special talent in his age group, but he has a lot of growing to do, in the physical sense and as a footballer.

The comparisons with Messi, playing wise, really begin and end with height, position and the fact that they are both very tough to get off the ball. Their styles aren't really very similar and the one thing that made Messi capable of playing first team football so young was his precocious vision for the game, something that Kakuta has, but it is not as advanced.



[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvtdBjRZHZE"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvtdBjRZHZE[/url]


He is so skillful hanuma he is the type of player we need in the first team at the moment.

[Chelstoolsea]

He looks good, maybe very good, but that depends how he reacts when thrown in at the deep end of first team football. I hope he doesn't do a Sahar when given his chance.
I dont expect him to make a first team appearance just yet as he looks small and could do with going on loan up north to beaf up and play on the cabbage pitches. He's maybe not ready for a Hull or Stoke as they can't afford to take a risk on a youngster, but if we could get him to a decent championship team within a year then I think thats when it is best to judge his potential.

He does look very promising from what I have seen, which I do admit isn't much. Also, surley some sort of credit should be given to Roman for the academy etc, the coaches and the scouts who found him - I dont think we praise them as much as we should!

[downunderblue]

badboy, on Jun 19 2008, 18:57, said:

He is so skillful hanuma he is the type of player we need in the first team at the moment.

It's too much to expect him to step up to the first team and be consistent. Sub him in a few times as an impact player.

The increase to 7 on the bench will work in his favour. That and the chance to train with the worlds best week in week out.

From what I read in the last year he was most effective playing in the whole behind the strikers and struggled when first initially played on the wing. He may need to be a bit more flexible b/c we may not play with that formation.

All in all though, it should be a priority to give him every chance to grow in the Chelsea shirt.

[JamesKelly26]

I've been praising Kakuta for ages, he looks awesome.

He should leave us now, for the sake of his career.

[ChAoS]

The key is Big Phil I am sure and the two extra seats on the bench this coming season. Big Phil isn't afraid to give youngsters chance if he thinks he has it, Big Phil has the balls. I think technical ability is one big attributes Big Phil is always looking from players, Gael definetly has it. I am sure Big Phil will give the likes of Di Santo, Sinclair, Kakuta a chance to make their mark come 08/09. COME ON!

[Juni]

The chance is there for him. He's too good for Under 18 level now and Kaby stepping up to that level means he's not needed as they are very similar players. Expect him to be starting Reserve games in August and September and attempting to prove himself at that level consistently.

[nona_valente]

JamesKelly26, on Jun 19 2008, 05:59, said:

I've been praising Kakuta for ages, he looks awesome.

He should leave us now, for the sake of his career.

Eh? He's only 16. His birthday isafter tomorrow (checked wikipedia) becoming 17. I'm not knowledgeable with exactly how good he is, I've seen glimpses enough which has me quite excited.

But what he most certainly does not need is massive hype and pressure. He needs time to settle, experience and learn. He doesn't need distraction, and he definitely doesn't need to be rushed into the first-team ending up with him struggling, his confidence shot and rapid-judging fans and pundits writing him off as a over-hyped average/mediocre player.

I'm of the firm view of slowly integrating youngsters.

Who I'm really hoping to see more of in the first team next season is Miroslav Stoch. He's 18 and will be turning 19 in October. He's another player whose glimpses I've gotten has made me pleased. But let's not through him overboard either. Some Carling Cup games, some minutes into games we already won off the bench against easier opposition.

Although I'm aware someone more knowledgeable may point out a loan would do him better. But I'm very curious and subjectively would like to see him with some minutes in the first team next season.

[Sciatika]

First and foremost, we have to ensure the physical safety of the player. Trying to put someone in too early can be a disaster. Football careers have been ended that way.

Take Di Santo. He looked like a good acquisition, but also looked like he would break in half, if put against the likes of Eboue, Taylor or a host of other back four hard men. He needed a season in the reserves and time in the gym to build up his musculature and, from what I've seen, that's still work in progress. If he gets first team games next season, I expect it will only be the odd minutes in the domestic cups. The same principle should be applied to Kakuta and Stoch. I see them being eased into the reserves for a season or two giving them time to fill out physically. It will also allow us (well, the club, really) to see if they can make the next step up. Lots of youngsters look good at 16 but never really make it at 18, 21 or so on.

However, there are more pressing issues. Take Mancienne. He has been playing for QPR for a while now and should be as ready to move forward as any. But what chance does he have competing for a place with JT, Riccy, Alex, Ivanovic or even TBH. I'd say, without unprecented injuries, none. I don't see him getting much out of another loan to QPR. I'd prefer to loan him out to a club in Spain, Italy, Germany or even Holland and let him widen his football experience. Scottie is another. Personally, I think he is ready for the domestic cups and being on the bench for some league games. But, if he is not going to get time, I don't see him getting much value playing more time for the likes of Crystal Palace. Loaning him abroad might make more sense.

If we cannot loan the players and we are not going to play them, then, sadly, we have to sell them to other clubs and let them get on with his careers. I don't see the value in just letting them rot in Cobham and I don't think it would be fair on them.

[gronkjaer77]

Maybe we could frustrate him like we did with Diarra and then 'Arry could get the best of him LOL!

[strong centreback]

JamesKelly26, on Jun 19 2008, 10:59, said:

I've been praising Kakuta for ages, he looks awesome.

He should leave us now, for the sake of his career.

Sorry for the personal attack coming up but you are a mug in fact a mug of the highest order, how the **** can you say that and claim to be a chelsea fan? seriously, probably one of the most naturally gifted players to play for our youth team in god knows how long and you think he should leave 'for the sake of his career' maybe if he has yet to be given the chance by the time he is 19-20 then maybe but at least give the boy a chance to finish puberty before telling him to go for the sake of his career, muppet

[Alan Conway]

strong centreback, on Jun 19 2008, 19:51, said:

Sorry for the personal attack coming up but you are a mug in fact a mug of the highest order, how the **** can you say that and claim to be a chelsea fan? muppet

Wether you agree or not with what someone else says, you have no right to insult anybody or question their support.
JamesKelly26 has'nt insulted you in any way, if you dont agree then please state your argument but without insulting people.