🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Ruben Loftus-Cheek

[Ledg 643]

18 in Australia too.

18 in most countries in the world. Even in some you don't need to have 18 to buy it, you just need to have money.

Verry impressed too. I want finally to see an academy player make his way into the first team in the Abramovich era.

[dee25 1,044]

I don't blame Mourinho for deciding not to start him or for bringing him on so late or for even playing Cesc & Matic. Firstly, I think without the stability both Cesc & Matic provided, we probably wouldn't have played as cohesively as we did with the number of changes that was made to the starting lineup.

Secondly, people keep saying that this was a nothing game so why not start RLC and some of the youth.....yes the result of the game meant nothing but it means something to the fringe players. If we're going to be successful this season then it's important that players like Mikel, Schurrle, Salah, Zouma, Cech, Luis etc are ready to step up when called upon. So I think when we get these sort of "nothing games" then it's important to use them to integrate fringe players and to try tactical changes like playing Luis and Azpi on the flanks or playing a midfield of Mikel, Matic and Cesc. If we can do these things while securing a win that's huge because it then allows these players to feel a sense of purpose and helps to boost team morale. City could not have gone away to Roma and won without Toure, Kompany, Augero and a half fit Silva if their squad players were under utilized.

Honestly, I get the criticisms people are making but I think people are focusing on the wrong things. Even if RLC had come on with 20 mins to go, what difference would it have made? Even if he had started, so what? What would that have achieved? 10 mins, 20 mins, 30 mins....it makes no real difference. The kid at the very least came on, got a great welcome from the crowd, had some nice touches and hopefully this would make him thirsty for more and keep him motivated. The only thing I blame Mourinho for is allowing RLC debut to be turned into some kind of tokenistic, PR agenda.

[The Skipper 20,609]

I don't blame Mourinho for deciding not to start him or for bringing him on so late or for even playing Cesc & Matic. Firstly, I think without the stability both Cesc & Matic provided, we probably wouldn't have played as cohesively as we did with the number of changes that was made to the starting lineup.

Secondly, people keep saying that this was a nothing game so why not start RLC and some of the youth.....yes the result of the game meant nothing but it means something to the fringe players. If we're going to be successful this season then it's important that players like Mikel, Schurrle, Salah, Zouma, Cech, Luis etc are ready to step up when called upon. So I think when we get these sort of "nothing games" then it's important to use them to integrate fringe players and to try tactical changes like playing Luis and Azpi on the flanks or playing a midfield of Mikel, Matic and Cesc. If we can do these things while securing a win that's huge because it then allows these players to feel a sense of purpose and helps to boost team morale. City could not have gone away to Roma and won without Toure, Kompany, Augero and a half fit Silva if their squad players were under utilized.

Honestly, I get the criticisms people are making but I think people are focusing on the wrong things. Even if RLC had come on with 20 mins to go, what difference would it have made? Even if he had started, so what? What would that have achieved? 10 mins, 20 mins, 30 mins....it makes no real difference. The kid at the very least came on, got a great welcome from the crowd, had some nice touches and hopefully this would make him thirsty for more and keep him motivated. The only thing I blame Mourinho for is allowing RLC debut to be turned into some kind of tokenistic, PR agenda.

Summed it up perfectly for me, just couldn't be bothered typing this out.

[Gilvorak 3,734]

He didn't sum anything up. That's just a strawman. He's bigging up the use of fringe players yet Remy & Ramires didn't start, Salah was subbed off early. There's absolutely no excuse for Jose's antics last night. RLC won't buy another game this entire season and you can quote me on it.

He needs to stop selling these kids dreams so they can further their careers by moving elsewhere.

[pHaRaOn 2,131]

He didn't sum anything up. That's just a strawman. He's bigging up the use of fringe players yet Remy & Ramires didn't start, Salah was subbed off early. There's absolutely no excuse for Jose's antics last night. RLC won't buy another game this entire season and you can quote me on it.

He needs to stop selling these kids dreams so they can further their careers by moving elsewhere.

Costa must improve his fitness and he can do that only with games. There was a sense to start with him instead of Remy. And Ramires just back after injury.

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

He didn't sum anything up. That's just a strawman. He's bigging up the use of fringe players yet Remy & Ramires didn't start, Salah was subbed off early. There's absolutely no excuse for Jose's antics last night. RLC won't buy another game this entire season and you can quote me on it.

He needs to stop selling these kids dreams so they can further their careers by moving elsewhere.

Have faith gil. If we have the league secured by the last match day he just might get another 5 or so minutes

[CHOULO19 24,332]

RLC won't buy another game this entire season and you can quote me on it.

Of course he won't!

He's 18 years old and not anywhere near ready to be in the first team. Naturally, he wouldn't even get his debut for at least 2-3 more years but because we had a low-pressure match Jose decided to give him something of a motivation and a good moment for the lad, but it was never going to be more than a gesture.

[robdog 2,084]

Wasn't that Baker? I cant really remember :/

It was RLC. You can go here for the match report.

[Tomo 21,751]

He laid his cards bare in this regard with the team selection and the subs for the Shrewsbury game. In a way it's good because it helped me (completely) temper expectations after I'd let myself get carried away with his comments about Baker, Solanke, Brown etc in preseason.

Three teenagers and a further two on the bench, compare that to City the following night when the youngest player Pellegrini named in the 18 man squad was 24 year old Boyata.

[Gilvorak 3,734]

Of course he won't!

He's 18 years old and not anywhere near ready to be in the first team. Naturally, he wouldn't even get his debut for at least 2-3 more years but because we had a low-pressure match Jose decided to give him something of a motivation and a good moment for the lad, but it was never going to be more than a gesture.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

WHAT!!?!?

Luke Shaw was a starter at 16, Rooney at 16, Cesc was starting CL finals at 18, Hazard made his debut just aged 16, Mario Gotze at 17, Pogba was a starter for Juve at the same age, Ronaldo and Messi at 18. Then you have the likes of Oxlade, Verratti, Sterling, Wilshere etc who were all getting consistent gametime before they even hit 18 at big clubs.

"Naturally, he wouldn't even get his debut for at least 2-3 more years". The fact that you actually believe this is normal is exactly why he should leave the club ASAP if he had any ambition.

[lionsden 4,689]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

WHAT!!?!?

Luke Shaw was a starter at 16, Rooney at 16, Cesc was starting CL finals at 18, Hazard made his debut just aged 16, Mario Gotze at 17, Pogba was a starter for Juve at the same age, Ronaldo and Messi at 18. Then you have the likes of Oxlade, Verratti, Sterling, Wilshere etc who were all getting consistent gametime before they even hit 18 at big clubs.

"Naturally, he wouldn't even get his debut for at least 2-3 more years". The fact that you actually believe this is normal is exactly why he should leave the club ASAP if he had any ambition.

He will just come back with "those players were special and most of them werent playing for a big club"so save yoursf the stress.

And people wonder why we have failed miserably to bring through a player since JT. Choulo's attitude is consistent with the manager and hierarchy at the club and thats why.

Thank goodness ranieri had a better attitude towards youth development otherwise who knows what would have become of terry

[Tomo 21,751]

He will just come back with "those players were special and most of them werent playing for a big club"so save yoursf the stress.

And people wonder why we have failed miserably to bring through a player since JT. Choulo's attitude is consistent with the manager and hierarchy at the club and thats why.

Thank goodness ranieri had a better attitude towards youth development otherwise who knows what would have become of terry

What about Leon Knight? disgraceful we signed Hasselbaink when we could just have promoted him

[Tomo 21,751]

He will just come back with "those players were special and most of them werent playing for a big club"so save yoursf the stress.

And people wonder why we have failed miserably to bring through a player since JT. Choulo's attitude is consistent with the manager and hierarchy at the club and thats why.

Thank goodness ranieri had a better attitude towards youth development otherwise who knows what would have become of terry

On a serious note tho, if it was up to some people Conor Clifford would have got promoted and groomed as the next captain after that youth cup win.

There's a reason there are very few teenage starters at topl level.

[iseah100 5,612]

He will just come back with "those players were special and most of them werent playing for a big club"so save yoursf the stress.

And people wonder why we have failed miserably to bring through a player since JT. Choulo's attitude is consistent with the manager and hierarchy at the club and thats why.

Thank goodness ranieri had a better attitude towards youth development otherwise who knows what would have become of terry

The club is much bigger now than it were then, they can't really afford to bring up youth players like that. Very few top teams have youth players in their ranks, the effort is being made. Give it time, sheesh.

[lionsden 4,689]

What about Leon Knight? disgraceful we signed Hasselbaink when we could just have promoted him

Did he show the same potential or possess as much talent as rlc and boga?.

The idea that a teenager cannot cope with first team football is a myth that has been disproved countless times throughout history.

People act like the youngsters that made it at a young age (which was only possible because their managers had a pair of balls) were performing hudini tricks and walking in water at youth and reserve level before being promoted and given a chance.

Majority of the players that made it young show similar level of performance and pitential to some of our current crop. A lil more faith and trust by the manager is what makes the difference sometimes

[Tomo 21,751]

Did he show the same potential or possess as much talent as rlc and boga?.

The idea that a teenager cannot cope with first team football is a myth that has been disproved countless times throughout history.

People act like the youngsters that made it at a young age (which was only possible because their managers had a pair of balls) were performing hudini tricks and walking in water at youth and reserve level before being promoted and given a chance.

Pogba is used as an example a lot, however Conte signing and playing Pogba came at a detriment to Luca Marrone who was a HG lad for them.

Ultimately we don't see these lads on training, the difference in standard between youth league and first team (even lower first team) is ridiculously high especially in England, something that will get drastically laid bare (in my opinion) if the U21s start playing in league one.

Don't get me wrong, if we one day win the treble with Chala, Baker and RLC as our midfield trio you won't find a happier and prouder fan than me, however if it was as simple as chucking these players in and bang, manager's would do it and save money spent on transfers, especially in FFP era.

[lionsden 4,689]

The club is much bigger now than it were then, they can't really afford to bring up youth players like that. Very few top teams have youth players in their ranks, the effort is being made. Give it time, sheesh.

Yer effort like giving the four of christensen, baker,solanke and rlc a combined total of 120 odd minute in all competitions this season. Yer I can see the effort

[iseah100 5,612]

Yer effort like giving the four of christensen, baker,solanke and rlc a combined total of 120 odd minute in all competitions this season. Yer I can see the effort

Yer?

If it were up to you Christensen, Baker, RLC, Ake, Solanke and boga would have started 5+ games by now.

[nyikolajevics 2,698]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

WHAT!!?!?

Luke Shaw was a starter at 16, Rooney at 16, Cesc was starting CL finals at 18, Hazard made his debut just aged 16, Mario Gotze at 17, Pogba was a starter for Juve at the same age, Ronaldo and Messi at 18. Then you have the likes of Oxlade, Verratti, Sterling, Wilshere etc who were all getting consistent gametime before they even hit 18 at big clubs.

They are good examples but where were Drogba, Reus, Makelele, Diego Costa, Falcao or Yaya Touré at the age of 20?

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

I have to say that I too find Mou's decision poor this time.

The success this season depends very much on players such as Fabregas, Matic and Costa, not to mention a few others, and yet they get to play most of a basically meaningless game. Imagine if Matic or Fabregas got a serious injury in the 80th minute, how idiotic and needless would that have been?

Injuries are hard to guard against, but one thing the manager can do is not to risk key players in games that are utterly meaningless, and certainly refrain from keeping them on the pitch even after the game is all but won.

The argument in favor of doing what he did could be to improve moral by winning after having lost to fucking pardew again, but with 2-0 at halftime and 3-1 with a good portion of the game left, even that argument falls flat.

I understand that introducing youngsters gradually might be beneficial, but 15-20 min is the least RLC should have received.

I guess it was meant as a carrot to RLC, to show him that there is more to get if he provides the effort, but I still think that the decisions of Mou were poor yesterday.

Reminds you Fabregas suspended for the Hull match and Matic has been well rested because he is not playing against Newcastle. Both has reasons to play a lot yesterday. More like RLC's bad luck.