Terry, Fabregas in starting XI for Chelsea’s Development squad

Southampton’s development team were in for a bit of shock when they saw the starting lineup for their Premier League 2 match at Cobham. John Terry and Cesc Fabregas started for Chelsea’s Development team, along with several other experienced first-team players.

Antonio Conte and his staff watched as several of their first-team veterans merged with Adi Viveash’s squad of aspiring Blues. The result was a motley XI.

The side had players returning from injury like John Terry and Kurt Zouma. There were little-used Spaniards Cesc Fabregas and backup-to-the-backup Eduardo. Loan army veteran Marco van Ginkel continued his attempt to follow in Victor Moses’ and Nathaniel Chalobah’s footsteps. And then the actual youngsters who are there for “development.”

The players likely appreciated the opportunity to get on the pitch and play a competitive game – any pitch and any competition will do. Conte’s Premier League XI is all but impenetrable right now, so players like Fabregas, Dominic Solanke and Michy Batshuayi need every opportunity to play in front of Antonio Conte.

Conte knows the importance of match sharpness, fitness and motivation. As he heads into his first Premier League holiday season, he knows he will need to have his entire squad ready for action. Fatigue, injuries and suspensions can pile up quickly this time of year. He does not want a player making his first competitive start in several months on Boxing Day.

Conte has shown his ability to manage egos and reputations far better than a particular predecessor. He understands that a single player would rightfully feel insulted to be stuck with the youth team. By placing several veterans on the development squad, he reaffirms that there is only one Chelsea. No player can feel insulted to ever line up alongside John Terry.

More from The Pride of London

• Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea player ratings: Abysmal, reckless, wasteful
• Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea: 3 Blues talking points
• Bournemouth vs Chelsea: 1 Blue Mauricio Pochettino should drop
• Bournemouth vs Chelsea: 3 Blues who must start
• Predicted Chelsea lineup vs Bournemouth: Palmer starts in 4-2-3-1

Terry, for his part, probably enjoyed this match more than anyone. He spends a lot of time with the Academy as part of his training as a coach. He likely relished the opportunity to see their work pay off at pitch-level, and watch Fankaty Dabo wield the captain’s armband.

Terry also knows what a confidence and performance boost it must be for the youngsters to play alongside him, Fabregas, Zouma and Batshuayi. With Conte, the coaching staff and at least one first-team player in the stands (David Luiz), both Chelsea’s and Southampton’s development squad are getting more than they bargained for out of a Monday afternoon.

At the time we wrote this, Chelsea were down 2-1. Michy Batshuayi scored the Blues’ lone goal, with Marco van Ginkel and Dominic Solanke both going close.

Update: Chelsea came back to win 3-2. Batshuayi scored the equalizer, and van Ginkel put the Blues ahead.