A new problem for Chelsea: Unlikely goals and using youth

Chelsea’s chances of top four are incredibly slim but still present. Do Chelsea use youth and accept fate or play on for the Champions League?

There comes a time in most teams’ seasons where they have to make a choice. A goal such as winning the title or making it into Europe may be mathematically possible but may realistically be out of reach. At that point, the club must decide whether to blood some youth or experiment in other ways.

By doing so, they could jeopardize their chances at their goal. Again, the goal is still mathematically impossible. So it becomes a battle between keeping hope alive and experimenting for the next season.

Chelsea are essentially in the same situation. Mathematically, the Blues could still catch Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Manchester United. But to do so (while avoiding a goal difference tie breaker), they would need to earn nine points more than Spurs, 11 more than Liverpool and 13 more than United. There are 21 points remaining for Chelsea.

So again, it is possible. But it is unlikely. So does Antonio Conte risk that chance by giving youth minutes? Would playing youth jeopardize Chelsea’s chances of taking advantage of their rivals? Or potentially allow Arsenal (who would need to earn at least six more points than Chelsea to avoid GD) to overtake them?

At various points this season, several youth have trained with the first team for an extended period of time. Ethan Ampadu, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Dujon Sterling, Kyle Scott and Trevoh Chalobah have all got face time with Conte and the first team. Besides Ampadu who is injured for the remainder of the season, the others could have a shot at playing in some of the remaining matches.

And including one or two at a time would not even be that much of a change. If they do not perform well in a half, they can easily be taken off for the more experienced player they had benched before. And if they are playing well then simply keep playing them.

Chelsea’s remaining fixtures are also mostly favorable to blood a youth player or two. West Ham, Southampton (both times), Swansea, Huddersfield and Newcastle all offer decent enough chances to try someone out in a Premier League or FA Cup match. The Burnley match can be there for someone that has done exceedingly well. And the Liverpool match can be there for someone that has absolutely crushed it.

Of course there will be a fear that playing the youth would be too risky. If Chelsea were to drop points on a weekend when Liverpool or Spurs do, it will be easy to rue the risk taken with the young player. That is the calculus that Conte will have to deal with.

Furthermore, if Conte is departing in the summer, he will have little incentive to use the youth. He would have a ton of incentive to end the season with a winning run.

Next: Chelsea: Win over West Ham can rescue London derby record this season

The Blues will have to weight the risks and rewards of using the youth and going for their goals. It is a new problem for Chelsea and they will only know if they got the right solution when the season ends.

Home/Chelsea FC News