LDN Blue

I mean it's very hard to break that down.. On the face of it, it wouldn't be hard to argue. But we don't really have access to the figures of what Academy players are being paid, and I have a gut instinct that Man United were actually bigger financiers. The thing about that is, even if it were true, SAF would've made sure they stayed level headed despite those wages. If we're talking about Chelsea alone, then we're disgraceful to be honest. I think it started with Sturridge, when it got really bad, because as soon as we signed him from City I heard we put him on something like £40,000/week*. So if Sturridge started the trend, it was only going to get worse with the players who showed more potential that we had to desperately keep.. Like Nat & McEachran. We can only hope that now Mourinho, Holland & Newton have enough power and influence over these guys that they can keep them level headed and under control. But even then.. Nat & Josh could both out on loan, so now Chelsea has an obligation to continue to keep an eye on them at these locations. Especially if they go abroad. Out of interest, on this issue, does anyone remember Manchester City's youngster Michael Johnson? If you do, or don't, take a minute to read his story. http://www.bigsoccer.com/soccer/david-bolt/2013/01/21/the-sad-story-of-michael-johnson/ *Can't verify this though.

Nothing beats the original Teardrop

Of course. This fact has been stated a lot of times when discussing why English youngsters aren't reaching the heights that they should be* However the problem that's now emerged is that because all the clubs are offering these big-money-contracts, everyone's having to do the same because otherwise you lose that talent. So unless every club decides to cap young salaries, you can finally get some control.. But that's not going to happen. *not just limited to English youngsters anymore. English clubs are giving foreign youngsters lucrative contracts now.

Expand..?

This is true!

That's a terrible way to play to be honest, I really, highly, doubt that Mourinho's going to be playing this way.. Which is why I don't imagine Willian is going to displace Schurrle.

Kojo didn't tell anyone to leave, people are overreacting ffs... It's like a bloody tearjerker in here

Lots of of over exaggerating reacting happening today, my god

Tomo, while this sounds practical what then will happen is everyone will give the Mods shit because of the choices they make. Then they'll accuse them of bias etc.. It'll work for 2-3x and then you'll get chaos again lmao.

Ah okay. Against what kinds of teams?

Because if he's not a regular for us, then he's not going to be looked at for all these competitions. I'm saying that in order for him to get chosen for these international games, he'll want to be playing regularly for a big club. At the moment he's not, he won't settle for being bit-part with us.

This extract is encouraging to read, the gap is something that's been bemoaned for a while. Especially from guys like Esk. But it's one thing to simply state all this, another to implement a plan to integrate the youngsters.

I'm glad the Chelsea PR department have finally realized that communication with fans needs some improvement. The Emenalo extracts have been insightful (more affirming what we already suspect though).

I'd still back Oscar for the no10.

The criticisms last season were warranted, I stand by them 100%.

That's not true, you can about football.. But this is about something else, which is why we've got a lot of baiting going on in here. Kojo, I understand what you're trying to achieve here, but if you continue this then the message is going to get lost among all the tension that's rising in this thread. Have your final piece and let the poll decide the rest.

Yeah I mean I can understand this view and I would be agreeing with you if it wasn't for the spell he had at West Brom. I mean he really did earn his stripes there and I'd hoped that this season he would be allowed a chance to showcase that development for Chelsea before this option was considered. From what I've heard it was his decision to go out on loan again and he actually wanted to go to West Brom (god knows how he ended up at Everton after..) What was also encouraging for me was to see that he featured in the Supercup at a stage where it was actually more of a risk to bring him on. Mourinho showed trust in Lukaku to come on in extra time and attempt to make himself a hero, he gave him further responsibility by allowing him to take that penalty.. I thought that was a message to Lukaku that "yes, you're going to get a chance here". You make a good point about the talents Everton have behind the striker and especially about Mirallas. However I'm not sold on Martinez. He plays good football, but often doesn't showcase that until the latter stages of a season and it really does cost him. He did that with Swansea and Wigan.. So my fear is that if Lukaku doesn't adapt to Martinez's tactics he'll find himself on the bench behind Koné I have a worry about sending him out again, which is a worry I have about Courtois as well. I feel that if we keep sending them away and if they keep seeking these moves, then they're going to start believing there actually isn't a future for them in the times they're in need of it. They're not getting assurances from the club and they're asking to go.

The forum is vulnerable TX, our plan is working.. Where's Kostas?

For the Supercup match, it's not that he was unused (though that's still an issue), it's the fact the player we claim is the vital player for us, isn't playing a cup final. If he's as important as we think, he should be starting such games. If the United match, the match vs the Champions & fellow title contenders, isn't his type of game.. What is?

I think he would've benefited more from the competition we have here, under the supervision of Mourinho, than he will have at Everton. While Everton are a competitive team and Martinez is a capable manager, I just think the best way to follow up to West Brom would've been getting more experience here. One look at Everton's strikeforce and you see guys like Koné & Jelavic who aren't exactly the best to bring the best out of Lukaku. At least at West Brom he had Shane Long, Peter Odemwingie (pre-transfer request) and Rosenburg. He went from 3rd choice there to joint-first with Long. He displaced Odemwingie (which led to that transfer window fiasco) and because of that Rosenburg didn't even get a look-in. Obviously I can understand Lukaku's reason for wanting the loan, with it being World Cup year and all. But as a Chelsea fan, I just think it would've been better for his development to try and force out Torres.

If indeed Eto'o and Hazard are out, it's not really the end of the world.. I mean we've still got a strong line-up Cech Ivanovic - Terry - Luiz - Cole Ramires - Lampard Schurrle - Oscar - Willian/Mata Ba/Torres I mean it's not like we're short of attacking midfield players now, are we?

Super Frankie Senior http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11668/8913158/england-midfielder-frank-lampard-admits-early-criticism-has-inspired-him

Of course, and hopefully it will be Mourinho. Though we must be wary, the January transfer window will approach us quicker than we think and if Mata's still in this predicament by then it will be a very grueling January.

I think that's the most important thing. With no disrespect intended to the Belgian NT, but their training regimes would only be centered around getting him back for a short-term basis (Belgium's next WCQ), whereas Chelsea will be looking a bit more long-term with his rehab and match fitness.

What about his style? Is he and out and out winger or does he have ambitions to play down the middle like most 'wingers'? I've been hugely impressed by Schurrle, so it'll be interesting to see the impact Willian can make ahead of him.