Much of the buzz surrounding American football this week is focused on one cataclysmic, earth-shattering, and overwhelming event. I’m not talking about a certain Steven Gerrard, er, “slipping” into a role with the LA Galaxy. I’m talking about the upcoming MLS SuperDraft. To summarize, the SuperDraft involves one of the noblest traditions in American professional sports: filling up a club’s rosters with the brightest and best talent from our collegiate systems and amateur tiers. I could sit here for an entire day explaining what goes on behind the scenes, from the league signing players to contracts, to the trading of “picks” for players, or even why on earth there needs to be “Super” in front of “Draft”. But instead, I ponder the future of each young talent and how this largely significant event relates to our very own Chelsea FC Academy players.
When you look at this current Chelsea side, you see the majority of players in, or approaching, the prime of their careers. Costa, Courtois, Fabregas, Oscar, Willian, Hazard, Matic, Azpilicueta come to the forefront of my mind (not implying for a minute that any player 29 and older is past their best and therefore “old”) but nonetheless, this seems to be the foundation of our starting XI for each competition we are pursuing. Earlier this season Mourinho promised more youth involvement during the dead-rubber Sporting Lisbon Champions League tie, yet we were left disappointed once again. Stamford Bridge was on its feet when Loftus-Cheek was finally introduced, but the minutes were too few for the youngster and non-existent for others.
This seems to be the theme in recent years at Chelsea, being promised the opportunities to see our youngsters play, yet being linked to every already-established name in world football come the summer and January. Those of us who follow the exploits of our youth setup know the amazing quality of our young and upcoming players, a nice example of that can be found here, in case you forgot. However, we drool over the prospects of an established name swooping in and aiding us in the title charge, the January transfer window has seen never ending speculation regarding one, Lionel Messi. This presents a question for every supporter to debate…
When will our youth get a shot at the first team?
I, for one, am in no way complaining about our current position. Clear at the summit of the table by even a few points, alive in all domestic competitions, and through to the last 16 of the Champions League. Am I suggesting this could be possible without the bags of money we have spent throughout the years and the global brand that Chelsea has built? Absolutely not. Would I rather we sacrifice a realistic chance at taking the League Cup if it means starting 3-4 youth players? Again, not at all. However, I would love for there to be thoughtful discussion on when it could be possible that we field, at least in a small sense, a Chelsea-made team. With the list of players I mentioned earlier, I see no imminent end in sight for their Chelsea careers, barring a drop in form and being sold. It seems to me that the Chelsea “Loan Army” may serve no more purpose that to expand our war chest at some later date. To put it simply, I want to see a future at Chelsea for our young guns.
But how will this be accomplished? I answer that question quite bluntly: It needs to happen now. Who better to teach Lewis Baker the ins and outs of the Chelsea midfield than Eden Hazard? Who better to provide Patrick Bamford an exquisite assist than Cesc? With countless players abroad at Vitesse Arnhem, among other clubs, can we bring one of them home to gain what surely would be more valuable experience learning from Europe’s best? All I want is for Mourinho to tap one of our young lads on the shoulder and pick him to stand among the giants. Then and only then can we see what our investment has produced. This is not an overhaul of the entire squad; this is pocketing our millions as we scout the world’s leagues for “the next Salah”. This will not come to fruition within the new year, but maybe we don’t need to ask the next generation to put their careers on hold while our current stars retire.
Until then, I will surely enjoy the ride along with all of you. This year beckons Chelsea on to greatness, and who knows, hopefully some silverware to parade around the streets of London. Maybe these words will fall on deaf ears, but maybe I finish it with an ulterior motive…
If not at Stamford Bridge, I’d rather see Nathan Ake put a crunching tackle on an aging Gerrard than on other under-21’s next season. Let them grow, or let them go abroad. Goodness knows America is fed up with the retirees.
