Is Chalobah ready for the first-team?

[Mufassir08 2,400]

I would have him in the squad next season.I think a lot of people want the finished product via loans into our team but were is the fun in that?There is nothing better then watching a young player improve and develop at your club by playing regularly and lets be honest we dont exactly have busquets or makelele in his position,as good as mikel is i believe chalobah can take his position in a couple of years permanently and before that he can act as a rotational player.

[pHaRaOn 2,131]

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.

[underdrog 18]

this is a tender age for chalobah.the minutes are much much important.and we can do without him for a season or two.so lets not jump to conclusions and let him develop.

[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.