Chelsea FC Interviews Michael Emenalo: The Comprehensive Report
Young English Talent And The FA
In a stance that will make many Chelsea fans happy, Emenalo stressed how vital it is that Chelsea continues to grow and develop a core of young English talent. Stating the obvious to emphasise his point he reminds us that “Chelsea is an English club” and the club has a “mandate to produce as much English talent as possible”.
As most football observers, pundits and fans of Chelsea and opposition clubs are quick to highlight, John Terry is the outstanding elephant in the room, being the last successful English player to graduate from our academy to the first team. Bearing this in mind, it is fantastic to hear that there is a formal objective in place to achieve this ambitious goal.
With players such as Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Dominic Solanke and Isaiah Brown all having had a taste of first team football for the Blues and adding in the star potential of players like Patrick Bamford and Lewis Baker, the possibility of a greater representation of English talent in the first team is not too far off.
There can be no doubt that due to both Chelsea’s commitment to developing the best English talent and the names listed above, the club have a “wonderful relationship with the FA”. Emenalo also highlighted that Chelsea “supply the most number of players” across all levels of the England youth international sides.
While Chelsea do indeed provide the most amount of players to the FA, Emenalo was quick to point out that we are “not just sending bodies” to make up the numbers, but that we are providing “well educated talented individuals”. It is clear that the Nigerian takes great pride in the fact and long may it continue.
Next: The Academy And Loan Army