Lucas Piazón

[EskWeston 696]

I'm aware that he isn't contracted, but he will be allowed to play in behind-closed-doors friendlies should the club wish to arrange one, I believe. I believe he will probably spend time amongst the Reserves for the rest of this season, however, since we will be two strikers down one striker down because of the Cup of Nations, he may potentially get some playing time in the FA Cup, for instance.

Yes, he will be able to play in any friendly game Chelsea may arrange. It will be interesting to see what happens with him, he is very much an unknown quantity. He played very well during the summer for Brazil and it will be his ability to transfer that form into not only a full adults game but also to a different type of football. Will be tough for him.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

I'm aware that he isn't contracted, but he will be allowed to play in behind-closed-doors friendlies should the club wish to arrange one, I believe. I believe he will probably spend time amongst the Reserves for the rest of this season, however, since we will be two strikers down one striker down because of the Cup of Nations, he may potentially get some playing time in the FA Cup, for instance.

I'd be very, very, surprised if we see him make an outing for the first team this season at all.

Admire the optimism though, hope you're right!

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I don't think we have anything to lose by giving him a run out... I'd say it's worth it, just to see what the hype is about. I've not seen him play besides YouTube videos, but from what I have heard he strikes me as an exciting prospect. Personally I'm fed up of seeing quality players with endless potential being wasted here, largely because of the time they spend rotting in the reserves, such as di Santo. Granted Franco has hardly set the league alight at Wigan and Blackburn, but he started his career here like a house on fire and suddenly stagnated by being dumped in the reserve team when he clearly should have been given minutes.

[EskWeston 696]

I don't think we have anything to lose by giving him a run out... I'd say it's worth it, just to see what the hype is about. I've not seen him play besides YouTube videos, but from what I have heard he strikes me as an exciting prospect. Personally I'm fed up of seeing quality players with endless potential being wasted here, largely because of the time they spend rotting in the reserves, such as di Santo. Granted Franco has hardly set the league alight at Wigan and Blackburn, but he started his career here like a house on fire and suddenly stagnated by being dumped in the reserve team when he clearly should have been given minutes.

Your absolutely right, it is a constant trend and mainly a problem with the english set up. Players will be top class at youth level, spend the first season of reserves on fire and then it is like they don't know what to do with them, they don't get enough games, the loan system is 50/50 with how much benefit it can give. Only Fergie manages to get his players in good teams and played no matter what their performances are like, Wellbeck at Sunderland last year is a good example. So many players with huge potential see that potential dwindle due to lack of appropriate development between the ages of 18 and 20. Kakuta is another example of that. We need to be braver with our young players, they are never going to come into the CFC starting 11 and dominate a game, could McEachran do anymore to show how he is no where near out place in the first team and has a lot to offer, but still he is overlooked. Either clubs should be allowed to play reserves teams in league football like spain or there needs to be a full U21's league set up with an appropriate number of games played to mirror the first team.

[zolayes 14,489]

lack of development from our academy has been my biggest disappointment in the last 10 years. of course most won't progress to

first team starters ,,,but we arent getting ANY through ... I could list almost a full squad of hopefuls but it would only make me feel worse.

[BlueSunshine 672]

Your absolutely right, it is a constant trend and mainly a problem with the english set up. Players will be top class at youth level, spend the first season of reserves on fire and then it is like they don't know what to do with them, they don't get enough games, the loan system is 50/50 with how much benefit it can give. Only Fergie manages to get his players in good teams and played no matter what their performances are like, Wellbeck at Sunderland last year is a good example. So many players with huge potential see that potential dwindle due to lack of appropriate development between the ages of 18 and 20. Kakuta is another example of that. We need to be braver with our young players, they are never going to come into the CFC starting 11 and dominate a game, could McEachran do anymore to show how he is no where near out place in the first team and has a lot to offer, but still he is overlooked. Either clubs should be allowed to play reserves teams in league football like spain or there needs to be a full U21's league set up with an appropriate number of games played to mirror the first team.

Well said

[Madmax 9,219]

The Reserves are short on strikers with Lalkovic away on loan and Philip injured long-term. Piazon would help.

[Badboy 1,526]

I agree 100% with ESK, a few people on this forum like Bluelion, Eskweston, Fulham Broadway, Ollie, must remember when we had such high hopes for players like Ben Sahar Sinclair, Miroslav stoch, and none of them had a look in.

[Badboy 1,526]

If i was Josh and i seen us sign a 25 year old Luka Modric i would ask myself a few questions. We did not give Stoch a chance because of Kalou, we did not give Ben Sahar a chance because of Pizzaro. We need to straighten out our priorities at this club pronto.

[zolayes 14,489]

I agree 100% with ESK, a few people on this forum like Bluelion, Eskweston, Fulham Broadway, Ollie, must remember when we had such high hopes for players like Ben Sahar Sinclair, Miroslav stoch, and none of them had a look in.

jody morris , michael duberry ,,carlton cole ...the list is endless ...

[EskWeston 696]

The Reserves are short on strikers with Lalkovic away on loan and Philip injured long-term. Piazon would help.

Mitrovic and Prosenik are fighting for the starting central striker role for the reserves, they really need the game time which is why Prosenik is still playing for the youths as an overage player. Both of which would be further in their development were it not for long term injuries......

The argument about developing young players is a long and difficult one. One thing that is for sure is that the system in English football is not fully geared up for the proper development of young players. One thing is for sure, Piazon or whatever young players come in have a very tough job of fighting their way into the Chelsea first team. It will be interesting to see how AVB deals with this over the season.

[Waterfall 893]

If i was Josh and i seen us sign a 25 year old Luka Modric i would ask myself a few questions. We did not give Stoch a chance because of Kalou, we did not give Ben Sahar a chance because of Pizzaro. We need to straighten out our priorities at this club pronto.

If I were Josh and I see us sign Luka Modric, I would ask myself the following questions:

1. How do I not end up like Stoch or Sahar?

which leads to

2. How do I get better than Luka Modric?

[Chelsea? 892]

there's other places in the middle though. I mean Iniesta and Xavi play together. not that our midfield is anything close

[eldo 868]

Stoch could never compare with Josh, even when he was at Twente.

[Styles 9,790]

Sahar? Di Santo? Pfttt, they weren't good enough to lace this guys boots