Is Chalobah ready for the first-team?

[Kojo 4,676]

What's with the obsession with Chalobah?

We shouldn't be debating if he should be ready for us, especially at his age.

You should be making this sort of thread for the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, not 18 year olds in the Championship.

[KingB 9]

Hopefully if Watford go up, he'll be with them. Based on how he fares, then we will have a conclusive answer.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Paul Pogba goes from United reserves to Juventus first team in Serie A (13 starts + 9 on subs) and Champions League (2 starts + 5 on subs).

So, judge player just by fact where he's playing not always wise.

Great point. United (the 'masters at developing youth players') waited and waited and he left. He's certainly proved them wrong and I'll be honest - I'm delighted he's left them because they need a player like him in that midfield.

Going to be honest. There is a major difference in reserve and Championship football compared to PL and Champions League football, so no hes not ready just based on that.

True, but the Championship is a long old slog and he's 32 games and he isn't tailing off. If anything, he's getting better and it's not like he's a right-back or a winger getting a few minutes here and there - he's a key player for the third-placed team in one of the most important positions on the pitch.

On paper, he should probably spend another year out on loan but on paper we shouldn't have one the Champions League last year. On paper, Pogba shouldn't be in the France squad ahead of the far more experienced Capoue.

At every level Chalobah has looked exceptional - maybe it's time to make an exception for him. If he's given a go I don't think anyone will be disappointed.

[The only place to be 11,313]

What's with the obsession with Chalobah?

He's a very good player.

We shouldn't be debating if he should be ready for us, especially at his age.

There are plenty of debates about our squad for next season.

You should be making this sort of thread for the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, not 18 year olds in the Championship.

I believe De Bruyne is ready as well. Age really doesn't have much to do with it in my opinion though. Josh is 19 and in the Championship and I have severe doubts about him. Essien is 30 and in the Champions League and I don't think I'd have him back next season.

What this is actually a thread about is an exceptionally talented player, who plays in a position of need for us and has the added benefit of already being owned by us.

[Kojo 4,676]

He's a very good player.

There are plenty of debates about our squad for next season.

I believe De Bruyne is ready as well. Age really doesn't have much to do with it in my opinion though. Josh is 19 and in the Championship and I have severe doubts about him. Essien is 30 and in the Champions League and I don't think I'd have him back next season.

What this is actually a thread about is an exceptionally talented player, who plays in a position of need for us and has the added benefit of already being owned by us.

Chalobah is no where near as good as you think he is, when you go on about Mikel you always go on about Chalobah replacing him. Chalobah is not ready for the premier league at all, he would get torchered.

I like him and I'm glad we do have another youth prospect but you're also talking about different things. McEachran wont make our team till he's 23, that's my opinion, you maythink otherwise fair enough.

Essien, pointless bringing him into the convosation, he's past it, his loan was pretty much getting rid of him.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Chalobah is no where near as good as you think he is, when you go on about Mikel you always go on about Chalobah replacing him. Chalobah is not ready for the premier league at all, he would get torchered.

I disagree (obviously). I think he ticks all the boxes although you're welcome to point out which areas you think he's lacking in.

I like him and I'm glad we do have another youth prospect but you're also talking about different things. McEachran wont make our team till he's 23, that's my opinion, you maythink otherwise fair enough.

No I think you might be right about Josh. Technically brilliant but has to be able to use those talents effectively in match situations. I think finding a team which can utilise his skill-set is going to be nigh-on impossible though which might mean he's better off coming back here. He needs to be around quality players - he's like a Formula 1 gear box. Unless you're going to put him alongside high-calibre parts he's simply not going to work that well.

Essien, pointless bringing him into the convosation, he's past it, his loan was pretty much getting rid of him.

I agree with the second part but what I was alluding to is that age and current level of competition don't have to be the defining factors in whether a player is part of next season's squad.

It's no secret that I'm a fan of Chalobah, but I'll be honest and say that I think he has all the tools he needs right now. He also has tools that 90% of pros will NEVER develop.

[Chels 238]

Good read mate, enjoyed that, thanks for taking the time. You have obviously thought about it.

They have just been speaking about him and Josh on talk sport...drivetime.

I would defo have him in the squad next season he looks like he has it all. Lets hope we give him the chance to step up to the next level.

I would also have Josh in the squad next season buts that's off subject..... maybe you could write up your analysis on him ?

[Kojo 4,676]

I disagree (obviously). I think he ticks all the boxes although you're welcome to point out which areas you think he's lacking in.

No I think you might be right about Josh. Technically brilliant but has to be able to use those talents effectively in match situations. I think finding a team which can utilise his skill-set is going to be nigh-on impossible though which might mean he's better off coming back here. He needs to be around quality players - he's like a Formula 1 gear box. Unless you're going to put him alongside high-calibre parts he's simply not going to work that well.

I agree with the second part but what I was alluding to is that age and current level of competition don't have to be the defining factors in whether a player is part of next season's squad.

It's no secret that I'm a fan of Chalobah, but I'll be honest and say that I think he has all the tools he needs right now. He also has tools that 90% of pros will NEVER develop.

Well it's nice optimism, but the shame of it is, i think age is a definite factor. 18 year old defensive midfielder is very young, and there is a huge difference with the Championship and Premier League.

Chalobah is obviously a big talent, but i really don't think he is ready. It's a shame because we really lack midfielders, especially defensive ones, but I think we will have to go in the market instead of looking into the youth. Keep Chalobah where he is if you ask me.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Well it's nice optimism, but the shame of it is, i think age is a definite factor. 18 year old defensive midfielder is very young, and there is a huge difference with the Championship and Premier League.

All fair points. There's no getting away from the fact that he is 18 and you don't see many 18 year olds in such prominent positions because most simply aren't ready.

Equally you shouldn't see a 19 year old starting in defence in a Champions League quarter-final against Didier Drogba but Varane is an exceptional talent.

Chalobah is obviously a big talent, but i really don't think he is ready. It's a shame because we really lack midfielders, especially defensive ones, but I think we will have to go in the market instead of looking into the youth. Keep Chalobah where he is if you ask me.

I think the middle ground could be him spending at least part of the pre-season with us for the new manager to assess. That might actually work in his favour as everyone will have a relatively clean slate.

[themightyblue 443]

Lets see how he does on pre-season with the rest of squad and then judge. However, as has been pointed out the gap between the Championship and playing for Chelsea in the Premier League and Europe is huge. If he comes here he won't play week in week out, but could be a massive asset to the squad. Whereas if he goes on loan he'll develop further playing every game and come back even better and maybe just as good as Mikel, Ramires, Romeu etc with a PL season under his belt. Big dilemma.

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

Send him on loan in the PL next season, call him back in January. If he's doing good add him to the squad if not send him to the championship.

To play a guy that young in a position of such influence is very risky. Regardless of if he's good enough that position is there to provide confidence to the back 4 and the front 4-5 that he'll keep it safe and tight. With a player like Chalobah just the simple fact that he's 18 and inexperienced at the top level will always force Luiz and others around to keep him in their peripherals and almost try to spoon feed him.

He needs to learn some things the hard way, make some mistakes at a team where one mistake won't relegate you to the bench for the rest of the year.

He makes one bad mistake in his first game, he's instantly third choice at Chelsea behind Mikel and Romeu, then wait till a Carling Cup game to maybe get that spot back.

[Muzchap 8,966]

For the MILLIONTH TIME YES!!!

I have a Watford season ticket holder friend £567 year for him, misses and two kids...

He CANNOT STOP RAVING ABOUT CHALOBAH his words - take Carrick and Modric and blend them together and you get CHALOBAH

He said he has so much time on the ball it's unreal - he cannot understand why he isn't in our FIRST TEAM - he said you guys fucked up and maybe Watford will get promoted because of it...

So YES IN EVERY LANGUAGE - 3rd name on team sheet next year behind Mata and Hazard.... Simples....

[Muzchap 8,966]

Also all this experience blah blah

Every year he plays outside of the Chelsea team is another year he needs to adapt back to Chelsea when he is allegedly 'finished and ready as a product'

Better to let him play and learn in the Chelsea team as he will be the midfield strength.

Just play him already I'd play him and Luiz in midfield and buy another quality CB - nice Pivot then and Mikel / Ramires as back-up... Or Romeu if he's fit again next season...

CHALOBAH could sneak into the World Cup squad - laugh at me now - but lets see come next summer

[MHL 47 378]

Depends on a whole number of things:

1. Who'll be in charge of his development at Chelsea
2. How many games he'll be given if he's at Chelsea
3. After playing almost all season at Watford, will he feel playing a bit part, which is possibly all he'd get and/or be ready for, be enough for his own views on his development
4. Who'll be the manager next season
5. Is he ready? A friend of mine who played a high standard and who's opinion I respect has watched Watford all season and says he's been generally very good. He has his doubts whether he's strong enough or experienced enough to cope with the speed, strength and ball movement in the PL

I personally would have a look at him pre-season, maybe even keep him for the first three months of the season and give him cup games and the odd EL/CL game. If he holds his own, then great, if he struggles then get him to a side in the PL or in Europe to get him top flight experience. His youth and relative inexperience make him a risk at the top level, who's prepared to take it?

[22mek22 133]

The thought of a double pivot with De Bruyne and Chalobah, with Hazard Mata Oscar infront makes my balls tingle