It's an FFP consequence. Young players cost less in transfers and wages, they come under little pressure to succeed and the club has the bonus of selling them on at a decent price even if they don't become starters. If they do, you obviously hit the jackpot anyway. Regarding buying youngsters instead of using ones from our academy, 2 things - in a historical sense our academy hasn't produced Chelsea calibre youngsters till the last couple of years and secondly, if they're good enough, they will get in. What I agree we can improve upon is that even if someone like Todd Kane isn't good enough to be a regular starter, he's a better rotational option than Ferreira, who pockets immense wages without providing a massive upgrade in his (rare) opportunities. Competition is never bad, it brings out the best or worst (Stoch) in players, which is useful to know if you want to keep them around.