Kids can shine at Chelsea
Craig Burley believes Chelsea may be about to do what has been alien to the club for a generation – put their trust in youth.
The paltry number of kids to make the grade at Stamford Bridge has been one of the major criticisms throughout the Roman Abramovich era.
Chelsea have won the FA Youth Cup seven times in the past nine seasons but homegrown talent in the first team is still rare.
According to former Scotland and Celtic midfielder Burley, who came through the ranks at Stamford Bridge himself, that could be about to change under new boss Maurizio Sarri.
And he reckons England kid Ruben Loftus-Cheek will lead the charge.
Burley said: “This is a real crossroads for them. The days of Chelsea blowing other sides out of the water have well and truly gone.
“Manchester City are spending more money, Manchester United will probably go big, Liverpool have spent huge sums this summer. Arguably, there has never been a more difficult time for a manager to come in as now.
“There are a lot of good young players at Stamford Bridge and they may have to bring some of them into the squad.
“Loftus-Cheek is the big one. He looked so comfortable with England and there were a lot of people questioning why he wasn’t getting more of a chance with Chelsea.
“He showed huge composure when he got the chance at the World Cup and has everything. He’s big, strong, quick, has a nice touch and he now has great experience on a huge stage.
“I don’t understand why he and players of his ilk – and there has to be more of them – won’t get more of an opportunity.
“Yes, there will be a huge pressure on the new man to get results but let’s see what Sarri is like and whether he’s prepared to give the club’s young players a chance.
“They have won the FA Youth Cup time and again but what is the point of having a successful youth set-up if those players aren’t given a chance?”