Chelsea: Not A Selling Club & Producing Own Stars

[Barbara 15,149]

Manager Jose Mourinho has spent as much time stating Chelsea’s one and only target this summer is Wayne Rooney as he spent emphasizing the club won’t be selling any key players.

The Portuguese have been forced to clarified rumours about Juan Mata and David Luiz leaving in much of his media dealings while on pre-season tour in the United States. Yesterday, the Spanish media confirmed that apparently Barcelona had officially made a £34.5million bid for Luiz but Mourinho wasted no time in making it clear to the Spanish champions that they should pursue other targets.

“The bid? It’s lost time for them. My advice to them is to go to the second player on their list because they are wasting their time. We don’t want to lose our best players. No chance.” said Mourinho in his media meeting yesterday as he looks to end the rumours of Luiz’s depature while also ensuring none of the best players at Stamford Bridge will be sold.

The point highlighted by Mourinho “We don’t want to lose our best players. No chance.” easily summed up Chelsea’s transfer policy in the last few years. The only ‘best players’ that have left Chelsea while still holding the status were Arjen Robben and Didier Drogba. The former, in particular, left on his own accord after the club and player couldn’t meet an agreement on his contract extension and was sold to Real Madrid in 2007.

The club’s philosophy has changed ever since Roma Abramovich became the owner in 2003 and just like PSG, Monaco, Manchester City and Real Madrid have been doing, the Russian billionaire was ready to sign as many top players in the world as possible to make a competitive and winning team when he arrived.

And that has been the case in the subsequent seasons which culminated with splashing out £50million for Fernando Torres in the 2011 January transfer window. However, the club has become less inclined to spend huge amount on transfers since then especially for players already in their peak.

Looking at the transfer dealings in the last two years, Chelsea may continue to spend as much as possible to reinforce the squad - with compliance to the Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules - but the targets have changed somewhat drastically.

Over the past 1-2 years, the Blues have bought the likes of Oscar (20*), Eden Hazard (21), Marco van Ginkel (20), Andre Schurrle (22) and Cesar Azpilicueta (23) to West London and this indicate clearly that Chelsea are pursuing young and upcoming talents. Additional purchase of Brazilian right back Wallace (18), signed back in January this year, and Nathan Ake (16) signed in 2011 are further example of this shift in transfer approach.

The club now is obviously trying to identify potential Under-21 star players as their main target while also adding experienced players to the squad wherever necessary as demonstrated by free signing of Mark Schwarzer this summer. And with a squad depth filled with many young talents at Stamford Bridge now, the need to buy ‘big name’ players would hardly be a necessity any more in the future.

The latest target and ‘big name’ player is striker Wayne Rooney as Chelsea have been facing major difficulties with their striking force ever since Didier Drogba’s left in 2012 and are in need of adequate quality upfront. Fernando Torres has proved incapable of repeating the top performances he once had at Liverpool and although the Spaniard has scored some important goals for the Blues, it simply has not been enough. Jose Mourinho has made it clear that the club is not settling for anyone else and if the deal with the Manchester United player cannot be done, chances are that no one else will be brought in and the manager will have to try and get the best out of Torres, Romelu Lukaku and Demba Ba.

When the Portuguese returned to Chelsea for a second spell in June, he stated it clearly that he aims to work with the Blues for long term and confirming those are the wishes of Abramovich as well. Looking at how Michael Emenalo - Technical Director - is approach the market, how both the manager and owner are looking to the futyre, it is clear that Chelsea may want to be the next Barcelona - academy wise.

The Spanish team have been focusing on their academy for many years, whether by developing players themselves or bringing then from other clubs at an early age - like with Lionel Messi. Not only do they produced home grown players that are mostly in the current squad right now, but some of those players have also joined at other club such Cesc Fabregas.

Having looked at the U-21 and even U-18 teams as well as youngsters on loan at other clubs around Europe, Mourinho has mentioned there is a need for clubs in England to have busy schedule to their academy teams and how he will try to follow them. This shows that the club is not only focusing on maintaining its status as one of the big forces in Europe but also establish Chelsea as a young talent power house.

John Terry is the biggest testament of the club’s academy having spent his entire career at Stamford Bridge and the plan now seem to be building upon this situation of not only bringing in foreign young talents at early age but also helping to discover and develop England’s next generation of stars. Having a strong and competitive academy would not only contribute to the team’s own strength but also to the English boys joining a competitive and strong environment.

Many fans today say ‘Chelsea aren’t a selling club’ and while that is true, it seems like another status will follow in the next few years, should the club continue with their current transfer approach, where Chelsea fans can proudly claim the club produces its star players and keeping them.

* the ages used correspond to when the players joined the team, not currently (except this summer's transfers).

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[Jase 43,479]

*bump*

[Atlas Lion 1,223]

Very good Read.

Sure, we are buying top young talents so we can eventually blossom them, but at the same time, I can't stop but feeling that the Premier League is losing it's identity and tradition, thus leaving many clubs in England going after players in different countries. To put into perspective, clubs like Dortmund, Sociedad, Bilbao, Valencia, etc, clubs that actually put in work to where they be now, then come massive clubs buying out some of their player's release clauses,

In all honesty, Modern football for some, has become a dream come true, for other's, it has become much more of a business which leads leagues and clubs losing it's identity.

[bushman 2,043]

Well, once again detailed analyses by our corresponded from the samba land are seen above.

Even though, Chelsea have not selling players, but predominately rather buying, one can never say they won´t sell anyone, these days.

Folks say, do not believe any rumors in the media. For me, they are rumors only.

Since Jose came on board, 2 players were bought that I consider players that will play for the team immediately.

One rumor I am a bit puzzled by is Luiz. Somehow, something´s fishy about him.

As I read above:

Just because club buys players that the owner can afford, how can this business as put it above be loosing its identity. That´s just plain stupid in my view.

Edited August 9, 2013 by bushman

[Sidzeret 2,257]

Developing young talents is definitely NOT Mourinho's strong hold, based on his previous endeavours but i have faith in him to make this work. I'd give more importance to the development of our young stars like Hazard, Oscar, KDB,Schurrle, v.Ginkel to the very to the very pinnacle and making one of them a Ballon D'or winner in the nexy 4-5 years. I'm going out on a limp and say promoting the youth and U21s to the first team and giving them opportunities in the first-team might be a bit of a gamble as we have no established youth development system( imo...feel free to disagree). The system that will work is to buy young talents in the age group of 21-24, who have established themselves in various teams, and make them work in the team like we are doing now. Our transfer policy have been pretty intuitive this window.

Edited August 9, 2013 by Sidzeret

[bushman 2,043]

Well, I believe if Jose is set to stay on for several years, he will help these young players. I believe, he already proved it with Drogba. Young, raw talent made into one of the most prolific goal scorers over the years. I counting on Lukaku here.

As for developing young talents, buy these guys around 16-18 year old, send them out on loans & then the club will see what comes out of them. Lukaku, KDB, Ake, Piazon, T.Hazard..etc are the future of Chelsea, I feel.

[Barbara 15,149]

I think the team has been changing its policy about players and foreigns as well.

You can't create a good Academy for local players from night to day, but there are new players - English players - coming from the Academy and I think that number will increase. It's the cheaper way of all to make stars and I like what Mourinho said about the Academy strengthening and England's better schedule for sub18 and 21 teams.

It doesn't mean they'll succeed, but Barcelona started it about a decade go (a bit more). Of course their 'Cantera' has always been there, but the focus on them started this century.

I disagree about Mourinho not being good to work with youngsters. The most recent example is how he signed and handled Raphäel Varane (18). I don't mean he's the best manager around to do it, but I suppose he works fine.

Also I think there isn't better player developer - regardless of their age - than Mourinho imo, so I think Roman may be aiming to do the same Barça did.

[bushman 2,043]

I think the team has been changing its policy about players and foreigns as well.

You can't create a good Academy for local players from night to day, but there are new players - English players - coming from the Academy and I think that number will increase. It's the cheaper way of all to make stars and I like what Mourinho said about the Academy strengthening and England's better schedule for sub18 and 21 teams.

It doesn't mean they'll succeed, but Barcelona started it about a decade go (a bit more). Of course their 'Cantera' has always been there, but the focus on them started this century.

I disagree about Mourinho not being good to work with youngsters. The most recent example is how he signed and handled Raphäel Varane (18). I don't mean he's the best manager around to do it, but I suppose he works fine.

Also I think there isn't better player developer - regardless of their age - than Mourinho imo, so I think Roman may be aiming to do the same Barça did.

Well said. many folks feel Jose has no patience. Personally, I disagree with it. Over the months I only read about Jose´s dealings with the players. Nothing, but positive reports. This man has it all, I feel. Knows how to win, how to prepare the team tactically as no one else. Give him 18 decent players & he will win trophies with them in 2 years.

As for the academy. If I remember correctly, Chelsea´s teams are doing just fine. As for more English players. Are there any to brag about, lately ?

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

The academy system is over. Only Barcelona and Bayern have recently experienced sustained success using this method,and even then, their success is rather helped by being two of the very biggest spending teams in the world. (Also, both are playing in leagues with 0 and 1 other high spending club.). The academy system simply will not happen at Chelsea. To make academy players work, you need to play them in the first team and playing them in the first team means they will make mistakes and cost you points. Not only that, is that most academy players, no matter how good, will not be good enough for Chelsea, so you end up sacrificing points because maybe a player will turn out to be good enough. Chelsea have enough money where they don't need to do that. Chelsea has found good model, buying top young players from other teams and trying to balance them with experienced players.

@cicero-I hate trying to differentiate modern football and traditional football with sentimentality that doesn't belong. Football has always been a business. You think people used to play simply because they loved playing? The difference is that before, players were treated like commodities to make millions for their clubs with no rights.

[bushman 2,043]

Of course football was always a business. The difference is in the price of players, these days. Some 20-30 years ago, players cost peanuts in comparison to today´s prices. Even when you open a hot-dog stand, it´s still a business, small but a business.

The Chelsea´s way of buying & loaning out players is a model that´s being copied. As I said, wrote here, several times, Roman revolutionized football in UK.

[Atlas Lion 1,223]

Just because club buys players that the owner can afford, how can this business as put it above be loosing its identity. That´s just plain stupid in my view.

Plain and Stupid? Relying on foregin players rather than producing our own youth and represening the club, national team, and premier league as an actual domestic league, keeping it's tradition rather than relying on modern football philosophy and other leagues/clubs?

[bushman 2,043]

Plain and Stupid? Relying on foregin players rather than producing our own youth and represening the club, national team, and premier league as an actual domestic league, keeping it's tradition rather than relying on modern football philosophy and other leagues/clubs?

Do you think many supporters care about your English tradition ?

Let me tune you in. Chelsea have plenty of foreign supporters & I am almost certain most of them do not give a hoot about old ways.

Today´s football is perceived as the world phenomena. Watched by billions who want to see Chelsea winning, playing attractive football regardless of how many foreigners are on the team. Personally, I do not distinguish between Brazilians, Spanish, Dutch, English...I wanna see Chelsea winning & playing good football. If you can not understand that, then we have nothing to talk about.

[Atlas Lion 1,223]

What you described, is primarily the definition of 'plastic mentality' Not everything on football is about winning, which is why they chewed you out at Totalfootballforums

This isn't about support, it is about the club and league keeping its identity. Focusing primarily on youth players integrating into the first team. Creating a stability around the club and having players representing the league and national side

Edited August 9, 2013 by Cicero

[bushman 2,043]

Your stupid words are copied from totalforum´s dimwit gang.

If I were you, I still would look up the definition of " identity. "

Perhaps, you are in support of a wrong team. Chelsea is not about English players only or hiring some toddlers & gearing them to the 1st team.

[Atlas Lion 1,223]

Your stupid words are copied from totalforum´s dimwit gang.

If I were you, I still would look up the definition of " identity. "

Perhaps, you are in support of a wrong team. Chelsea is not about English players only or hiring some toddlers & gearing them to the 1st team.

Yea, it's everyone else, not solely down to one individual. The whole world is out to get you...

Chris and I had a friendly pm discussion about it, and tbh, he was mostly spot on. A discussion of this magnitude couldn't possibly linger any further against the likes of you. How could you possibly understand tradition and the identity and philosophy of the Premier League when you've been labeled as a glory hunting plastic mong on the previous forum and seem to not be doing any better here.

Apologies Barbra

Edited August 9, 2013 by Cicero

[bushman 2,043]

Yea, it's everyone else, not solely down to one individual. The whole world is out to get you...

Chris and I had a friendly pm discussion about it, and tbh, he was mostly spot on. A discussion of this magnitude couldn't possibly linger any further against the likes of you. How could you possibly understand tradition and the identity and philosophy of the Premier League when you've been labeled as a glory hunting plastic mong on the previous forum and seem to not be doing any better here.

Apologies Barbra

Let me tell you something here. Just hit the road back to your manure pals at the idiotic forum!

[Barbara 15,149]

I think there are two aspects about academy.

1) talented players are born that way. So the next big shots on football won't be formed in any academy. I mean of course the academy will help, but no academy in the world can turn a guy without the natural gift into the likes of Messi and Cristiano. They are gifted and of course, work very hard.

2) great players - not world class status - can be formed in good academies. Talent continues to be a variable, but in a lesser degree. But a good academy can help create the next really guys, that need guidance, training, decent competition, etc...

When a league strengthens the juvenile's and youngsters' competitions it means more clubs, more players, more matches, more sharpening..

That was the aspect I was trying to make. The next Messi, Zidane, Ronaldo, Cristiano, Ronaldinho or whoever you want to name it, could have been born in any country in the world... England included. The only merit the academy will have is finding those next guys.

I think it's very important for English football to continue to make high level players because one way or the other the lack of local players inevitably weakens the league even if it's a well established, traditional and football oriented country as England.

So the moment you improve the competition, and clubs start to invest in those competitions, more boys will come, they'll face more teams, they'll play more often, they'll be more challenged, so it's only natural the quality improves.

I'm not saying Chelsea will help England become the next Spain, or will make it become Brazil - the only reason we keep making so many players is because there are too many academies, most of which with poor condition, so in a country as big as Brazil where the sport is so popular is really a mathematical thing. I'm saying though that it seems like Chelsea (board and Roman) and Mourinho are looking at the academy more carefully and will help to make us a club that makes stars, instead of only importing them and I believe more examples of John Terry will come in the next decade because of what's starting now.

I'm sure the age of our future signings will continue to drop. Someone mentioned 21-24, I think it's already lower than that. Except the punctual deal, we've been signing 18-21 for the past two seasons. Not only (relatively) big names like Hazard, Oscar, Schurrle but the likes of Cuevas, Wallace, Aké, Piazon, etc...

The whole point I was trying to make is that we've changed our signing policy, but we still keep being a no-selling club. In a few years though if we continue to bring in so many young talents we may even export a few of them. That's important for Chelsea and that's important for England. When a local guy from a sub-17 team faces talents from other countries or has them as team mates, it's only natural everyone's game improves. I believe that movement could bring more kids to the academies, and also reduce the early exists as many boys give up along the way. It's beneficial for Chelsea, for England, for other academies.

I don't know where modern football is headed though. It seems to me more and more fans are becoming more invested in the clubs they support rather than their country's NT (especially in big leagues). Who knows if international football won't completely become irrelevant in let's say 30 years from now? FIFA is focusing on making money and they may be overlooking (or belittling) this. So maybe international football (NT's) could sort of disappear. Or maybe it won't happen, and international football will survive, but I have no doubts the excessive amount of foreigns weakens NT's and the main reason for that is because the best leagues in the world are importing more and more players from all over the world. Few countries like Germany, Spain, and even Brazil continue to produce more than enough. Other countries have waves and others a good generation in a lifetime and neither is enough to help the situation. I really don't know if NT will survive the excess of foreigns in the biggest leagues.

But that's another discussion