10719 replies to this topic

[Scott Miller]

Boogle - That sounds like JM is going to kick Makelele to the curb next season. Outstanding!

[Yellowman]

I got to agree Frewn, Also I am sure I read somewhere that FIFA are considering limiting the foreign players again to 5 on the field at any time. We would do well to have a good youth system.

Does anyone on the Forum have direct experience or knowledge of what our youth system is like?

[sammy sparkles]

It seems to me that we are not only bringing through young talent from home shore's, but buying up a lot of the best from around the world. With our feeder clubs and I read an article that stated that Mr Abramovich is an administrator on the MSI (media sports Inter - something ?) which looks like a perfect cover for a feeder company for Chelsea, that picks the best North/south american and asian youth.

I may be well wrong? we could be lacking behind, but I can't believe that the brains behind the new Chelsea has not planned for that!

[True Blue Gary]

Only Terry is the home-produced player. We bought Huth, Cole and Forrsell, so they don't count.

Other successes (contrary to debate)are Jody Morrss, Eddie Newton, Duberry and Sinclair.

To be honest, our youth system up-to-date is shambles. However, the last 6 months is contrary to this (I.e. Cobham, Mourinho stresses the importance lof Youth system, the signing of the Reading Youth manager).

In 3-4 years time, I'm sure we will see the first signs of a burgeoning Youth Development of Exceptional Chelsea players.

[Rod Crowley]

In a way I agree with you. We do need to overhaul our youth system (and I believe this is already underway) but I don't think this has anything to do with whether or not we'll be successful or considered a 'top side'.

Looking at Man U, it's clear that the Giggs, Scholes, Becks generation was a fluke. Ever since, they've tried to replicate their youth system's success (and have spent a lot of money in doing so - I understand it costs them over £3m a year to run their academy) and what have they produced? Wes Brown? John O'Shea? Mediocre players every one. Look at Liverpool and Arsenal and it's pretty much the same story. Millions spent on youth development with very few players of true quality coming through. [And these are clubs who get the very best raw material to work with]. On balance, poaching the best young talent from abroad gets much better results.

But I agree we should do more. Not because it will make a real difference to whether we're successful or not. It's just that it means so much more to the fans when a young player comes through the ranks - it's an emotional choice rather than a logical one.

[BostonBlue]

Hasn't that been a major focus of Mourinho's?

He's written and presented a document on how he wants youth players developed, he's been a regular at the reserve and youth trainings, and Chelsea have recently moved into brand new, state-of-the-art training facilities. What more can they do to improve the youth system? Mourinho has publicly stated that he wants Chelsea to develop many first teamers.

[EL87]

er.. Huth and forssell were not products from the youth team though. Huth was from union berlin and forssell from helenski, so they hardly count. but chelsea sure are stepping up in producing more home grown talent, so lets hope the likes of manicienne and watt come good.

[alan]

Not totally agreeing with you tthere, when was the last time Utd produced a player equal in quality to Becks, Giggs, Scholes ??? many years ago

It was a one-off when Utd produced a group of 5-7 top class players!
You can't plan for those scenarios my friend, although you can give yourself a bigger chance of doing that by investing and heavily maintaining a top notch youth system which Utd do and also brilliantly take advantage of their universal fan base!

Although I do agree that Chelsea haven't had had the best results from the youth system in the last 15 years, but when someone like with the quality of JT pops out, we at least know there is top class qaulity to be unearthed :)

[Michael Tucker]

If Huth, Cole & Forssell don't count, then why do we keep mentioning Beckham & the Nevilles? They were "bought", too, at young ages, just like our three. Fail to see the difference, personally.

[ravin mad]

Creating a consistent youth policy also relies on luck. Man Utd are touted as the role model for youth talent but when you look at the Fletchers, Richardsons etc... of today, you can see that they're not a patch on the Beckham, Scholes etc... of yesterday.

[Dan Murphy]

quote:

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Originally posted by Michael Tucker

If Huth, Cole & Forssell don't count, then why do we keep mentioning Beckham & the Nevilles? They were "bought", too, at young ages, just like our three. Fail to see the difference, personally.

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Exactly how I feel. If we bring them in while they're young and before they become 1st-team quality, then develop them into good players then I think they should count. Let's not forget that Beckham is from Leytonstone so he's hardly a home-grown youth product for the Mancs is he?

[phil tate]

quote:

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Originally posted by Michael Tucker

If Huth, Cole & Forssell don't count, then why do we keep mentioning Beckham & the Nevilles? They were "bought", too, at young ages, just like our three. Fail to see the difference, personally.

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Spot on MT and a view I have tried to put across a few times to people in the past but when, if ever, was the last time you heard this mentioned anywhere.

[i got id]

you´ll be amazed with the work that Mourinho is doing at the youth system.
wait 2 years and you´ll see.
he´s recruiting some of the ebst youngsters of the world to chelsea.

[Codger]

quote:

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Originally posted by I got id

you´ll be amazed with the work that Mourinho is doing at the youth system.

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id, is there any danger of you EVER qualifying any of your comments?

You do this a lot, post comments that are not backed up by fact. Any chance of enlightening us to your personal relationship with Jose Mourinho?

[Harry Sideras]

Deciding who is and isn't a youth product is a matter of line drawing to a great extent. Huth counts as a youth product as far as Uefa are concerned for our CL squad, which is how Morais got a spot in the first team. By another definition, Steven Watt came from Aberdeen. Take your pick.

We've had plenty of youth players in the past, though the list since Matthew Harding (and other big money for purchases) arrived has reduced greatly. Percassi was Italian U17 captain wasn't he? I dare say our catchment area is now getting wider by the day. That's what money buys - the wider scouting network.