Enough about those meddling kids: Chelsea’s old men still pushing
By Travis Tyler
This season has quite rightly been all about the youth revolution. But those meddling kids should not steal all the spotlight from Chelsea’s old men.
When Frank Lampard came in and said doing well in training would lead to opportunities, it was a sign of change. A player, no matter their age or perceived skill, could work their way into the starting lineup. No favoritism, no rewards for past glories. Just hard work.
It should come as no surprise that this lent itself to the youth playing more and more. And while many were eager to see everyone not yet old enough to rent a car in the US play, the old men of the squad were not to be forgotten so quickly.
Chelsea’s older players have been just as important as those meddling kids. And while the youth revolution is very much front and center, it is best not to forget those that came before who have an arm around the shoulder of these kids.
Cesar Azpilicueta and Willian are obviously the most front and center. Azpilicueta has been leading the squad all season and Willian has been a mainstay since returning from injury. This is despite early cries of Azpilicueta’s form and a demand that Reece James comes in right over him. It is also despite cries for Christian Pulisic when Willian has been quietly (because no one really wants to say it loudly) good.
That does not mean Pulisic and James will not push their older compatriots out, but it does make it harder for them to find a way in. Of course, both Pulisic and James can play elsewhere and it is more important that they do play than where they play.
But even more exciting than that is that if Azpilicueta or Willian fall to the bench, they probably will not make a fuss. Robert Green recently revealed that Chelsea players were scratching their heads last season over the exclusion of Callum Hudson-Odoi. It would not be hard to draw a line from that to thinking many other youth in his generation are equally as talented. And that is likely why Olivier Giroud and Michy Batshuayi have made little noise about being behind Tammy Abraham in the pecking order.
The older players have not only pushed their younger counterparts but they have mentored it as it has happened. For the first time in a long time, what is better for the club is the goal of most of the squad.
And it is hard not to notice the older players that did not stick around during this shift. Those are likely the players that would have made noise about being behind some meddling kid. Those are the players that would have refused to mentor someone who would replace them one day. Lampard quite rightly moved them on and is left with a very harmonious locker room.
Chelsea is in a good place with the youth making a name for themselves. But do not forget the older players who are also putting in the hard work and mentoring others as they do it. The old men of the squad are playing just as big a role this season as anyone eligible for an Olympics squad without a waiver.