'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – JULY 21: Josh Mceachran of Chelsea is surrounded by Malaysian players during the pre-season friendly match between Malaysia and Chelsea at Bukit Jalil National Stadium on July 21, 2011 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Stanley Chou/Getty Images)
Chelsea have been criticized for producing talents in their youth academy but not letting them break into the first team. But seldom does one notice that Ryan Bertrand, dotted as one of the leading young left-backs in the world and the prodigy of the current best left back in the world Ashley Cole, started for Chelsea in the Champions League Final in München in an attacking role and turned out to be the first player to make his debut in Champions League in the finals. A bit of Italian magic, nay?
So we finally say good bye to Didier Drogba and we’re definitely on the verge of hearing the last hurrah from the remaining pieces of the old guard. When the most experienced players leave, what can one do? At first look its simple, mix young talents that you have produced or acquired from the transfer market and continue your steep journey to success. But only later does one realize that experience is a key part to glory. Sure, for a few years, John, Frank, Ashley, Petr and Essien will be there to stick around, but the youngsters have to be loaned out. Not just any club, but a club that has a good reputation nationally and if possible, in Europe.
A young player needs experience to nurture his talent and for a Chelsea youngster who cant get first team experience immediately, like Josh Mceachran, Billy Clifford, Sam Hutchinson, Lucas Piazon, Nathaniel Chalobah, Islam Feruz, Todd Kane, Tom Kalas and Kevin De Bruyne should be loaned to other Premier League sides which can guarantee them first-team experience and matches against top-sides including their parent club! This would help them settle in, especially in the case of foreign players who are unknown to the English language. Time is a huge factor for any young footballer.
Lets analyze one of the leading youth academies in the world. The world-famous La Masia. Described as paradise for leading young footballers, a player who is granted a foothold into the Barcelona Youth Academy is guaranteed success wherever he goes. Lionel Messi, Xavi, Iniesta have all graduated from this Academy and are now the leading ambassadors of the beautiful game. The famed academy is the reason for Barcelona’s and Spain’s successes in Europe and the world. Imagining Barcelona and Spain without La Masia would be like imagining ice-cream without sugar! I know. Yuck.
So it obviously does not connect with Chelsea’s youth academy who have produced few exciting talents unless you count John Terry, Josh Mceachran and Nathaniel Chalobah – who already made headlines nationally and in Europe. But Chelsea’s transfer policy is unique and not what everyone is noticing.
It surprised everyone when Belgium couldn’t make it to Euro 2012. With the likes of Vincent Kompany, Thomas Vermaelen, Dries Mertens, Jan Vertonghen, Steven Defour, Romelu Lukaku, Axel Witsel, Eden Hazard, Marouane Fellaini and Thibaut Courtois, Belgium have a fine chance to win everything out there. But Chelsea and Belgium have a really fine relationship as of yet. Chelsea over the coming years will be known as “Little Belgium” with future stars of the country plying their trade with Chelsea. Every Belgium would now dream to play for Chelsea. The Belgians in the squad so far are Hazard, De Bruyne, Lukaku and the three Musonda brothers who are slated to reach new heights. Chelsea are also linked with Witsel and Fellaini as we look to increase the depth. If La Masia’s reign does come to an end , it will be because of the Belgian youth centers who have produced fine youngsters with immense talent due to careful nurturing. Roman Abramovich has definitely seen that and that has changed our transfer policy to capturing the finest Belgian youngsters out there right under the noses of clubs that are flashing their radars.
The Problem once again is, can they become as good as the old guard or the legends of Chelsea that won the European Championship in the year 2012 ?
Like it or not they, will have to say good bye one day or the other and in the process, break the hearts of millions of fans across the world. Fans shudder at the sight of a Chelsea lineup without John Terry, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard. They brought in that attitude, experience and class while youngsters today play mostly for fame, money and personal glory. As John Terry once said “It’s tough to find players today who play for the lion on the chest and not the name on the back”. True, but Nathaniel Chalobah and Josh Mceachran have been at Chelsea since their pre-teens and could be future captains and vice-captains which could help keep the blue legacy going. The future is very bright as Roman shrewdly tries to find loop holes in the Financial Fair Play Rule. One day, everyone has to move on and even I would break down at John and Frank’s last match, but If I grab my shirt and sit down to watch a good game on TV at the Bridge, I expect the players to play with the same never-give-up attitude and class that our beloved old guard played with.
The new team will be in beta stage for at least a year or so. The upgrade has almost been done, with a few minor tweaks here and there but trust in the blues, remain carefree and we will keep climbing the ladder of glory.
