Promoting and Buying England

[Spike 12,049]

As and English club, FA law requires a certain amount of English players to be registered in the squad every season. Its easy to bypass this rule and register youth players that the club will never play but it is nice to have a little legitimacy and have a core of regular starting English players. Not being an Englishmen myself, it doesnt bother me all that much where the players in the starting XI are from, but Im not the law maker and as I said the FA demands it. Right now the main Pommies featuring regularly in the Chelsea squad are John Terry, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and Gary Cahill. Not a bad list of players, eh? All capped by England, and three of four have Captained England. But, Terry, Cole and Lamps are getting old, all on the very wrong side of 30 and Cahill; well its debateable if he is even qualified to be the undisputed #1 CB at Chelsea.

Soon, whether its next season where you can find good betting odds with Unibet or the seasons after Terry, Cole and Lamps will leave or retire. Its going to happen, accept it. Who is going to replace this trio? Someone bought? Or someone promoted?

Now when it comes to English players, they seem to be potted into very distinct groups: Idiots That Are In The Media Daily (John Terry, Wayne Rooney, Ashley Cole Rio Ferdinand, Joey Barton) and Quiet Respectable Men With A Stiff Upper Lip (Frank Lampard, Leighton Baines, Paul Scholes, Phil Jagielka). Which do I prefer: The type of guy that gets into the news for snorting cocaine from a prostitutes stomach, or the bloke that is in the news for scoring a hat trick against Liverpool? While they are both great and entertaining in their own rights, I think I lean towards the bloke who scores on the football pitch and not the fella that scores in the brothel.

At the Chelsea youth theyve some very interesting prospects. Very interesting. It seems the youth setup is finally paying dividends on talented youngsters, but as Chelsea fans we say that every few years dont we? Starting the list of is Islam Feruz, a Scottish youngster signed from Celtic, a forward in the mould of Wayne Rooney. Ruben Loftus-Cheek a pornstar a young physical Englishmen that is earning more money a year than Ill ever see in a lifetime, a combative midfielder, though with injury problems. Nathanial Chalobah, the beast, the animal, dominant in Zolas Watford; Chalobah has drawn comparisons from dozens of players, for instance he is compared to that cunt Yay Touré. Todd Kane, another Englishmen; has been doing a marvellous effort at Blackburn Rovers, tearing up and down the right flank as a RB. And lastly, the prodigal son himself, Josh McEachran; Josh has talent and technique above nearly all of these other youngsters, yet he lack drive and determination, he seems to have rested on his laurels after picking himself up a pretty(?) girlfriend. Very exciting stuff indeed

A Scot and four Englishmen; five big prospects, five lads set for stardom or bust. Sadly we are maybe seeing one bust right now. McEachrans hype and justification for playing for Chelsea seems to growing weaker by the match. A superb technique not seem in the English game is possessed by Joshs left foot but as I said earlier he is cursed with a very slim physique and a mentality more geared towards listened to Morrissey and The Smiths while writing in his diary. He can still do it, he can still make, to give up on him just yet, is chomping at the bit. Give just a little hope, because he is only 20 and José hasnt arrived nor has he decided on Josh.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Nathanial Chalobah are in my eyes shoe-ins for the Chelsea first team one day. Powerful, determined and technical; all three adjective are applicable to both players. They are rather similar players really; maybe Loftus-Cheek has more up his sleeve in terms of attacking but Chalobah offers more in defence. But other than that, the similarities are there and hopefully the similarities dont push one forward whilst holding the other back. They'll make it one day, trust me. I'm calling this right now. Laugh at me later if you want, but I'm still calling it.

I havent seen much of Islam Feruz to be honest. Ive heard whispers and rumours that he is a powerful forward that will run his socks off for the good of the team; much like Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevéz. The is great, Im taking a lot of liberty here but Im going to say that makes him as versatile as Rooney and Tevéz. In general I believe its harder for forwards to break into the first team. They talent and the goods are all there but if they dont score its bye-bye time. A few games and a few missed chances could ruin Islams future at Chelsea. But a few early goals could see his stock and hype soar and rise beyond everything reasonable. Tricky ones to call forwards are.

But now, who can Chelsea buy? The rags are linking the Blues to players such as Wayne Rooney, Luke Shaw andthats pretty much it. Two very, very great players, I might add. Id take them in a heartbeat. But how much will they cost? Who will they be marginalising at Chelsea? Will they flop? I feel Luke Shaw is a must buy. Not even a second thought or opinion about it, future number one LB for England. No doubt about it. He is already better than Bertrand and he is quickly coming up on Ashley Cole. He is tall, strong, quick and can run all day and night. A self-claimed Chelsea supporter, Shaw is an absolute must buy, I cannot stress this enough. If Shaw is missed out on and he joins ManUtd Liverpool or some other team, I will be very cross and upset.

Rooney. He has been brilliant at ManUtd ever since his debut. Can he brilliant for Chelsea too? Wayne dislike Moyes and Moyes dislike Wayne. So that being said Shrek Rooney will probably want to leave ManUtd. But who will he join? PSG? Arsenal? My bet is Chelsea. Im not too sure I want him at Chelsea, but I cant say I wouldnt want him here either. He is dynamic; he can play in just about every position with class and elegance (something he lacks in real life). He would definitely improve Chelsea, as he would be a perfect CF. People say he cant play as a CF anymore after being converted to CAM/CM but I respond to that with: If he can be converted to a CAM/CM from a striker, the reverse is more than possible. Its not like he can only switch positions once, besides he has played as a CF much longer than he has played in this deeper position. He will cost an arm and a leg, but I cant complain much about that seeing as it wont be my arm or leg.

So what you would you prefer? Buying in all the English and homegrown talent or focusing inwards on the youth system? I think the pickings are bare enough in both fields which enables a little of both. Buying Shaw would be great, but so would promoting Loftus-Cheek and Chalobah. You probably disagree, if so why?³

¹At the very least they have to be homegrown. In fact Im too sure about the rules. Victor Moses is homegrown, but he plays for Nigeria (though Im sure he owns an English passport). I know Owen Hargreaves was English to a degree but did he qualify as homegrown growing up in Canada and playing his early career in Germany? I think when it comes down to it a player can be homegrown and non-eligible for the Three Lions and they can be eligible for the Three Lions without being homegrown. Confusing.

² I think a lot of Poms and just about everyone else arent bothered too much by it either.

³ You are probably wrong anyway.

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[Spike 12,049]

Since it almost took eight hours for a staff member to verify, my article has been lost in the mix: BUMP. You shouldn't really mind this post, it's an illusion.

[Strike 6,958]

Ross Turnbull is leaving. That leaves only 6 HG- players - Terry, Cahill, Cole, Bertrand, Lampard, Moses,

Already Chelsea were a HG player short with Sturridge leaving and now that hapless Ross is also on the way out, Chelsea should sign 2 HG players or leave 2 spaces in the 25-man squad. Ofcourse there are youngsters who can fill it up, but since U-21's don't count anyway, it seems a waste of squad space.

[Spike 12,049]

Ross Turnbull is leaving. That leaves only 6 HG- players - Terry, Cahill, Cole, Bertrand, Lampard, Moses,

Already Chelsea were a HG player short with Sturridge leaving and now that hapless Ross is also on the way out, Chelsea should sign 2 HG players or leave 2 spaces in the 25-man squad. Ofcourse there are youngsters who can fill it up, but since U-21's don't count anyway, it seems a waste of squad space.

Hmm, interesting point Strike. The club must have this in consideration when buying new players this transfer window. Do you actually believe that Rooney and Shaw could join?

[OneMoSalah 8,611]

If Lukaku stays in England next year doesn't he not technically become a home grown player because of some stupid rule no?

[We Hate Scouse 10,260]

Buying England? The whole of England? I know Roman's a bit eccentric, but that's a bit extravagante.

In terms of the article....I didn't read it. Too long.

[Hutcho 8,443]

I see this as a temporary problem as we have a lot of great next generation english players. But for a few years we may have to pad teams out with english youth that woudn't play to get around the rule.

[Strike 6,958]

Hmm, interesting point Strike. The club must have this in consideration when buying new players this transfer window. Do you actually believe that Rooney and Shaw could join?

Purely on HG terms - Luke Shaw replacing Ryan Bertrand doesn't affect the situation. But yes, I think Shaw, being a Chelsea fan and a player with such promise could join. Rooney is unlikely though. Just don't think it'll happen.

24-man squad is fine with the youngsters we have. Just hope we don't repeat the shocking 19-man squad of 2010 which had only 4 HG players. Next year we will come around to that problem. If Terry Cole and Lampard all leave - we'll almost definitely have to buy British.

[Leif 6,006]

In an ideal world, I'd have us sign Shaw to replace Cole, someone in the Joe Cole (of old) mold who can just be called upon when needed (Sterling? Sterling reminds me a bit of Joe Cole, he really does) and I'd focus on getting Loftus-Cheek into the first team somehow. Although I don't think he'd work too well in our 4-2-3-1. He could work in that formation but only if roles were changed. I think he'd be more important to our team than Chalobah, at this point, personally.

I want to see Chalobah back as a defender but not many people seem to share this feeling.

As for purchases, Max Clayton (18, striker) of Crewe has interested me for a while. It'd take balls and some cunning (Jose) to pull it off, but I think given a season out on loan to a top Championship side to evaluate him properly would do us good and then decide if we want him in our team or not.

Oh, and then there's the player I thought McEachran was going to be (oops) - Will Hughes of Derby. Tracked by probably every top club in the world at some point.

Oh and then let's splash £40m on that random Sturridge kid, he seems good.

[Spike 12,049]

Buying England? The whole of England? I know Roman's a bit eccentric, but that's a bit extravagante.

In terms of the article....I didn't read it. Too long.

Just because I like you, I'll kill you last.

[Kojo 4,676]

You know you could of just said that English players are leaving and there's not many more to get.

Josh McEachran, Nathaniel Chalobah & Ryan Bertrand

I think Bertrand is a good player but he probably wont ever be a starter, I would like to keep him though. Oh and Loftus Cheek still has a lot to prove, so don't be so definite of that just because of one post season game. McEachran is a good player but he has loads of time, he really does lack determination that's right, but in the aspect of passing and vision, we simply can't miss out on him. Middlesbrough was a bad loan move in the end, the team itself is just that shit it wouldn't help anybody. I was just thinking has any loan move ever worked there? that Alex Nimley who was very talented went to Middlesbrough and didn't score one goal, he's a striker by the way and plays for Man City. Sammy Ameobi went there, had one good game then did fuck all else.

Lots of people have lost faith in McEachran, it doesn't matter, McEachran ot of the most has a lot more time on his hands, all he has to do for me is to mature and get more experience as it goes on. If we can get him better loans he could be a well established player, because either way I don't see Josh becoming a player for Chelsea untill he's 24 anyway.

I wouldn't exactly worry about the English side of things, new stars come and go, I bet in the next three years or so we will be wanting some good english players who we haven't even listed today.

[Reddish-Blue 2,213]

If Lukaku stays in England next year doesn't he not technically become a home grown player because of some stupid rule no?

Lukaku will officially become homegrown according to the FA rules at the end of 2013-2014 season..as he will have spent 36 months in England prior to his 21st birthday.

[Peace. 4,352]

¹ At the very least they have to be homegrown. In fact I’m too sure about the rules. Victor Moses is homegrown, but he plays for Nigeria (though I’m sure he owns an English passport). I know Owen Hargreaves was ‘English’ to a degree but did he qualify as homegrown growing up in Canada and playing his early career in Germany? I think when it comes down to it a player can be homegrown and non-eligible for the Three Lions and they can be eligible for the Three Lions without being homegrown. Confusing.

To meet the homegrown's criteria, you need to have been registered for at least 36 months in an english or welsh club, and thus between the ages of 16 and 21. Your nationality is irrelevant.

[Strike 6,958]

To meet the homegrown's criteria, you need to have been registered for at least 36 months in an english or welsh club, and thus between the ages of 16 and 21. Your nationality is irrelevant.

Yes. Apparently Asmir Begovic is Home-Grown

[The Skipper 20,593]

Yes. Apparently Asmir Begovic is Home-Grown

Which is why I really wanted him to be our number 2 as he's class, but it looks like he's taken the number 1 shirt at Stoke.

[Strike 6,958]

Which is why I really wanted him to be our number 2 as he's class, but it looks like he's taken the number 1 shirt at Stoke.

yeah. you posted on here that he was HG i think but yeah, there is that problem of cech, courtois

i think there are a few good ones among the relegated teams. Alex McCarthy. He's young. good enough shot-stopper. not really well rounded but he can improve here

[English Freak 456]

yeah. you posted on here that he was HG i think but yeah, there is that problem of cech, courtois

i think there are a few good ones among the relegated teams. Alex McCarthy. He's young. good enough shot-stopper. not really well rounded but he can improve here

I'd take McCarthy..perfect replacement for Turnbull.