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Is Chelsea’s youth policy finally changing? The future of club and country

By Rupert Meadows

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 27: The Chelsea team Captain Jake Clarke-Salter lifts the trophy as Chelsea win the FA Youth Cup Final - Second Leg between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on April 27, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 27: The Chelsea team Captain Jake Clarke-Salter lifts the trophy as Chelsea win the FA Youth Cup Final - Second Leg between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on April 27, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 05: Ruben Loftus-Cheek of Crystal Palace in action during a Pre Season Friendly between Crystal Palace and FC Schalke 04 at Selhurst Park on August 5, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 05: Ruben Loftus-Cheek of Crystal Palace in action during a Pre Season Friendly between Crystal Palace and FC Schalke 04 at Selhurst Park on August 5, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

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What’s more, Chelsea’s youth policy is changing. Next season is unprecedented in that Chelsea will have five loanees and counting in the Premier League itself. Loftus-Cheek at Crystal Palace, Kasey Palmer at Huddersfield, Tammy Abraham at Swansea, Kurt Zouma at Stoke City and Izzy Brown at Brighton.

These are players the club does not want to sell; these are players it wants in the squad next season. Youth players are being properly prepared to make it in the first team, which represents a further commitment to Conte.

Not only that, but Chelsea have defined in black and white what they consider the right amount of experience. In order for a player to be first team ready, they must have played between 150-200 first team games. While it’s a steep figure, at least youth players now know exactly what is required of them. And with their Premier League loans, they’ve never been closer.

It couldn’t have come much later, though. The disillusion surrounding Chelsea’s youth was becoming infectious. More and more players have started to come to the conclusion that they just wouldn’t get opportunities.

Nathaniel Chalobah just moved to Watford despite being promised a bigger role and a better contract. Bertrand Traore left for Olympique Lyon a month ago, stating that he wouldn’t get a chance at Chelsea.

There was going to come a point when players wouldn’t even bother trying to break into the first team. They would simply move away. Supporters have become increasingly frustrated, watching the players they spend years getting excited about being quietly shuffled out the back door for a profit.

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