The Fringe Division

[EskWeston 696]

This time of the year is always the time when the fates of young players are decided. Scholarships are signed, pro contracts are signed, players go on loan and some lucky players make the step up to the first team. The latter is what I want to focus on now. These are players which are normally older players who have served their time in the reserves and even probably on loan. It also includes some players brought in for the first team whose futures may lie elsewhere for this season. So let’s take a look at these players on the fringes of the first team:

Romelu Lukaku

Lukaku joined the club on the back of a lot of expectation. Dubbed the new Didier Drogba and being a Chelsea fan it was hoped he would show his ability and make us see we had the replacement for Drogba ready to step into his boots. That view was tinged though with the belief, particularly from manager Villas-Boas, that the club would have liked to have waited another year or so before signing him but circumstances forced our hand. As it were Lukaku made 4 starts for Chelsea in the 2011/12 season with 4 substitute appearances. He spent most of him playing time last season in the reserves with 9 appearances and 7 goals, a decent record but a standard of football lower than what he needed to progress.

So what is the fate of Lukaku for the coming season? All through the summer there have been rumours of him going on loan for the 2012/13 season and specifically to a team in the Premier League. A number of clubs have been linked with him, the most recent being Premier League returnees West Ham United. That being said at Chelsea with Didier Drogba leaving it leaves us with Torres, Sturridge and Lukaku for the centre forward berth, whilst Lukaku would be 3rd choice here from the clubs point of view we would need him even if it does mean limited playing time for him. Of course there is still time for more players to come in, should for example Hulk join it would be another player able to player centre forward and may allow Lukaku the chance to get Premiership football elsewhere for this season.

Kevin De Bruyne

Similar to Lukaku De Bruyne is a player signed with his immediate Chelsea future unclear. It was the intention of boss Villas-Boas to allow De Bruyne to spend the coming season on loan. With the departure of Villas-Boas that plan has been put on review it would seem. Di Matteo has decided to take De Bruyne with him on the pre season tour of America and allow him to show what he is able to do. De Bruyne, even though a young player, has a lot of first team games under his belt having played 107 games for former club Genk including 11 games in European football. Being an attacking player who can operate on the wings or behind the striker there is certainly a spot for him if he can convince RDM that he is worth keeping around for the coming season. Although a loan would not be out of the question and he has been linked with Southampton already.

Ryan Bertrand

Having spent 143 games on loan at various clubs Bertrand finally had his breakthrough year at Chelsea in the 2011/12 season. The view now that he will definitely be understudy to Ashley Cole going forward and will be expected to make more appearances than the 14 he accumulated during the last season which included a start in the Champions League final where he had a very good game. There should be enough confidence in Bertrand now to be able to share more games with Ashley Cole who should be used more sparingly going forward.

Sam Hutchinson

Having made a truly remarkable return from retirement last season he managed to feature in 2 first team games and 10 reserve games. His physical level is still very unclear, and what he will be able to do going forward. Due to the nature of his injuries it is unlikely he will be loaned out to another club as the club will want to manage him. But can he make more appearance in the coming season? Being used mainly as a right back when used in the first team there is a place there that he can take advantage of but that all depends on what he can physically manage.

Gael Kakuta

This is really a make or break summer for Kakuta at Chelsea. He has made it clear that he will either stay with Chelsea this season or move on to another club permanently, there will not be another loan. A player with huge ability and promise but who has struggled with various injuries and wasted loan spells. Kakuta spent last season on loan at Dijon and put in some good performances making 14 appearances with 5 goals and 2 assists. At the age of 21 and with a good loan spell behind him it could be time for Kakuta to make his mark. Again with the 3 attacking midfield spots behind the striker very much up for grabs Kakuta could find himself getting those chances easier than before. As with every young player it is going to take the manager to trust him to make the step up. Pre season will be very important for Kakuta.

Patrick Van Aanholt

Another player who has made some first team appearances but indifferent loan spells. For Van Aanholt the road to the first team of Chelsea has been made harder by Bertrand’s emergence last season. After a disappointing loan spell at Wigan Van Aanholt then moved back to Holland to link up with our unofficial partners Vitesse. Whilst not earning rave reviews he made 10 appearances and it looks very likely that he will be joining back up with Vitesse and teammate Tomas Kalas for the coming season.

Josh McEachran

Last season McEachran made his first loan move away from Chelsea, he spent the second half of the season on loan at Swansea, linking up with former reserve team manager Brendan Rodgers, however this link up was not as beneficial as first thought, McEachran ended up only making 5 appearances for Swansea, the same he managed for Chelsea in the first half of the season. So what happens to McEachran this season? The advent of the U21’s league may encourage Chelsea to keep him at the club and play him in this league as the idea is to be the best U21 players competing against each other and make some first team appearances along the way. The alternative of course is another loan. There has been a lot of talk in recent days of McEachran being loaned to Wigan as part of a deal to bring Victor Moses to Stamford Bridge. I would imagine in the case of McEachran a loan is more likely, I just pray he gets the games he needs.

Ulises Davilla

Signed last summer from Guadalajara in Mexico Davilla immediate moved to Vitesse where he spent the season acclimatising to Europe. He only made 3 appearances for the Vitesse first team but played more games for their reserve side. He has recently stated that he will be joining Chelsea for Pre Season and going on the tour of America. The club may want to bring him to England and use him in the U21’s league this season, however, obtaining a work permit is an issue. If the club are unable to get a work permit then he will most certainly go on loan and Spain has been mentioned as a possible place for him to go.

Lucas Piazon

Lucas Piazon could be a first team wild card for the coming season. Having joined up with Chelsea last season he had a very impressive first season in the U18’s and reserves and really stood out as a player who can go far. At the end of the season he caught the eye of Di Matteo and spent a lot of time with the first team and even made the first team bench. If he can earn a spot on the US tour and impress there could be chances for him during the season as he plays in the U21’s league. He has said before that the club do not intend to loan him out.

So who will bridge the divide to the first team this season? Only time will tell but this is a talented group of players and there are many more talented players looking to push behind them.

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[Spike 12,049]

It seems the club really have high hopes for Piazon.

[Justin_3d 1,140]

Out of all those you mention, the one I am really worried about is Kakuta.

All those others players can go on loan, or stay in the youth set up. But as you said it's a due or die for Kakuta at Chelsea this season.

And it's sad because a couple of seasons ago he promised a lot. Like what a Piazon today promises.

RDM did good with Ryan, I hope he can help inject some confidence and get some games to Kakuta to help him push forward.

[SeB 1,281]

Good stuff !

Kakuta's "good loan spell" has to be nuanced a little bit. He had a difficult debut then he played well 6 games until the win at Marseille. After that his behaviour wasn't good, he sorted his efforts. Patrice Carteron made a lot for him, contributing to offer him important wages, gave him confidence etc... Kakuta was that bad that he wasn't picked for the 3 or 4 games of the season. Carteron said to medias that he was injured instead of saying what he could have said.

In a recent interview Kakuta says he feels that his loan spell(s) were blameless (Bolton's one as well). He said Carteron was selfish and that his (proven) conflict with the sporting director was rather childish.

If I was Kakuta I'd hate to see my parent club looking to sign Victor Moses because he's what Kakuta could have become ; what that he didn't manage to be due to his immature attitude.

[Strike 7,277]

sweet article. i think bertrand, lukaku and de bruyne will have big roles this season. don't really see many opportunities for the others.

and btw, you have left out Todd Kane.... On the off chance that we fail to sign a Rightback, todd kane may get a few Captial Cup games atleast

[SeB 1,281]

Captial Cup games atleast

No, it's the Capital One Cup. The COC. Don't forget the only letter that makes this tournament interesting to talk about

[Ollie 4,400]

Lucas Piazon has the makings to become a star. He could seriously go a long way. I fear for Josh, Gael, Hutch and PVA. I just don't think their Chelsea careers are ever going to kick start. This is the last chance for all of em.

[Jose M 140]

Lucas Piazon has the makings to become a star. He could seriously go a long way. I fear for Josh, Gael, Hutch and PVA. I just don't think their Chelsea careers are ever going to kick start. This is the last chance for all of em.

Im certain Josh will defiantly make it to the highest level of football!

[Ollie 4,400]

With the players we're linked with and signing, i doubt that will be with us. I can't see how he'll get in.

[Term-X 7,891]

Im certain Josh will defiantly make it to the highest level of football!

You also said Lukaku would be the second coming of jesus christ.

[SeB 1,281]

With the players we're linked with and signing, i doubt that will be with us. I can't see how he'll get in.

I start having doubts about his long term future in English football... He's a deep lying playmaker who likes to face the play. But he's awful at defending and then can't play deep at the moment. In Premier League more than everywhere else we need a DM to regain the ball, a good tackler or at least a good interceptor (Romeo or Petrov shows it's not enough only to intercept)

The endless Carrick dilemma (less now but 1 or 2+ years ago it was very clear): good to play deep when the team has the ball and giving the impression to give jam to a pig when we see him having to defend.

[Jose M 140]

You also said Lukaku would be the second coming of jesus christ.

I did indeed and thats because I have a great eye for talent. What means they wont become world beaters just because they arnt at the moment? I don't think any of us realize how hard it is to even break into the Chelsea Squad! Never mind not even being 20 years old yet! We are WAY WAY to premature with our decisions on how youth talent will and will not preform.

Lets get serious as much as we think we know about Chelsea FC and football the baord and our coaching staff know way more. Therefore there's got to be a reason why we spent top dollar on Lukaku. Also im sure most of us know but Josh is the youngest person to play in the Champions league thats got to count for something?

I will admit I may get over excited about our youth but they are the future of CFC so without failure I will see the Pro's instead of the Cons.

[Blue Armour 4,325]

Lucas Piazon has the makings to become a star. He could seriously go a long way. I fear for Josh, Gael, Hutch and PVA. I just don't think their Chelsea careers are ever going to kick start. This is the last chance for all of em.

Josh still has time on his side. Hutch never really had a chance after his injury.

But yes, its make or break for Gael and VanAanholt

[Ollie 4,400]

For Hutch, is he fit or not? At the end of the day he retired but hasn't been tested. What really is the situation with the injury? If it's 100% perfect, he should be our 2nd choice RB, i was at the Chelsea - QPR game in the CC, he was absolutely flawless so definitely has the potential if he is fit. If he's not fit, he shouldn't have been taken back or shouldn't have come out of retirement. If he's available, that means he has to be judged like the rest. I'm not judging him on 1 game but that game showed me that he can progress and be a capable Chelsea defender for years to come.

As for Josh, he's a small, agile, ball playing midfielder who is pretty good technically. I don't see him as a CDM, he's not strong enough or commanding but we have so many players that can occupy the 3 places behind the striker and we're linked with more so seriously, time or not, he's not in the plans by the looks of it. He should go to a team like Villa or West Ham, maybe with Yossi, he'll mist likely go too even tho i like him a lot.

PVA was ahead of Bertrand imo but Bertrand is deemed the more solid defender so he's ahead. PVA has a good attacking threat tho and also a pretty good strike on him. He impressed me a lot in the Carling Cup home to Newcastle in the 4-3 defeat a couple seasons ago, i still think he could make it if Cole was already 34, PVA and Ryan could be the 2 but the reality is that Cole is still only 32, he's still class and we'll buy to replace rather than inherit from within, probably same as RB. PVA can't wait forever. he'll need to go elsewhere like Josh to progress.

And Gael, same boat as Josh but is a bit older and has been here a while now. Signed 5 years ago, he's never cemented his place, been banned and loaned out a few times and just has not settled at all. With the players we have and are linked with, again... his future lies elsewhere because of his position and expected role in the team.

[Spike 12,049]

Hutchinson has been getting injured since he was seven years old. Of course the worst injury came just a few years ago, but he is just naturally prone to injuries. Kind of like Pato.

[capriccioso 2,545]

Hutchinson is done, I think. He's just had too much time away from the game. McEachran and Kakuta are on the verge of losing their potential, they'll have to prove they've still got it this season. Bertrand is set to be the successor to Ashley Cole, van Aanholt probably won't make it here either.