..MUSONDA IS ONE NOT OUT
AND AT THE OTHER END OF THE SCALE
CHARLY MUSONDA’S tears to endorse his first Chelsea goal could prove a watershed moment for the champions’ conveyor belt of academy talent. Former England captain John Terry was the last homegrown player to establish himself as a first-team regular at Stamford Bridge – and that was so long ago he broke through in the last century. But as Musonda decorated his first Blues start with a goal in the Carabao Cup romp against Nottingham Forest, Chelsea finished with kids all over the pitch. Apart from Belgium Under-21 star Musonda, three British youngsters also got a taste of firstteam action from the bench. One of them, 17-year-old midfielder Ethan Ampadu (top) – a Wales Under-21 international – became Chelsea’s first player born in the 21st century. Jake ClarkeSalter (middle), who is 20 today, and another 17-year-old, Dujon Sterling (bottom), also enjoyed late gallops against Forest.
But among Antonio Conte’s platoon of Baby Blues, livewire Musonda is the only one likely to make the squad for tomorrow’s trip to Stoke.
He said: “It was an emotional moment to score my first goal at the Bridge. I can’t even remember it now – I was very happy and everyone could see that.
“I was in tears, to be honest. If the lads didn’t come and get me, I don’t know what would have happened. It was a great moment. “It’s only the first game and I have to keep working. But it’s great to see young players coming on and the manager giving confidence to them.”
Musonda’s father, also called Charly, was a Zambia international midfielder, whose team-mates were among all 30 passengers killed in a plane crash off Gabon’s coast 24 years ago.
Called up for the World Cup qualifier against Senegal, Musonda only survived as he was forced to withdraw from the squad through injury.
His son’s emergence from Chelsea’s academy system could yet mark a seismic shift in the club’s recruitment policy.
Fans were beginning to despair of seeing their own talent flourish, when Chelsea sold home-grown Nathaniel Chalobah to Watford for £5million, and replaced him with £35m Danny Drinkwater.
But Conte suggested he could field another young side in the fourth round at home to Everton, saying: “Every competition is important to us.
“If we answer like this tonight, why not give the opportunity to these players?”