🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Nathaniel Chalobah

[zolayes 14,489]

Because he has to be prepared carefully to be able to really compete at Chelsea, at the highest level possible. He may be a nice rotational player but seriously, would you really throw a 20-years-old into a CL semi final vs the likes of Barcelona and Bayern?

Let him gain experience and playing time the next 2 years and we'll see if he is ready to challenge for a spot in our first-11 then.

he has JUST turned 18

[The only place to be 11,313]

Because he has to be prepared carefully to be able to really compete at Chelsea, at the highest level possible. He may be a nice rotational player but seriously, would you really throw a 20-years-old into a CL semi final vs the likes of Barcelona and Bayern?

Let him gain experience and playing time the next 2 years and we'll see if he is ready to challenge for a spot in our first-11 then.

Age is just one factor that you have to look at and players don't all mature at the same speed. This kid has looked more than comfortable at Championship level so why not try him at the next one.

Would I throw him into the CL Semis? Weird question. If he's in contention at that point in April then he must've been doing well in the 8 months leading up to it otherwise why would it even be a question?? I would play him in the CL Group stages against one of the weaker sides for sure.

Let's be honest - there is no uniform way of preparing a kid for 1st team football. Our last great prospect had 6 games on loan at Nottingham Forest before being thrown into the first-team aged 20 - was John Terry unprepared for the rigours of 1st team football because he didn't get a chance at a Premier League team like Gael Kakuta and Michael Mancienne did?

[The only place to be 11,313]

he has JUST turned 18

So has Raheem Sterling.

[Rmpr 8,977]

he has JUST turned 18

People are really impatient nowadays. It is like: does he has pubic hair? Then play him...

[The only place to be 11,313]

People are really impatient nowadays. It is like: does he has pubic hair? Then play him...

Actually it's got more to do with his ability to play football than it has anything to do with his genitals, but whatever turns you on.

[zolayes 14,489]

So has Raheem Sterling.

we arent SCUMPOOL thank fuck

[Slam Dunk 1,442]

Chalobah is the best academy product since JT. He will absolutely be a future first-team player, i'm sure. He's growing into a superb young box-to-box player at Watford and the club obviously have very high hopes for him. He'll either stay at Watford and play PL next year on loan, or they'll loan him to a PL club in January (probably less likely). Talk of Chelsea first-team is probably a bit premature, he's only 18, there's no rush. He's going to be the future captain of Chelsea, i've no doubt.

[Amblève. 4,995]

Age is just one factor that you have to look at and players don't all mature at the same speed. This kid has looked more than comfortable at Championship level so why not try him at the next one.

Would I throw him into the CL Semis? Weird question. If he's in contention at that point in April then he must've been doing well in the 8 months leading up to it otherwise why would it even be a question?? I would play him in the CL Group stages against one of the weaker sides for sure.

Let's be honest - there is no uniform way of preparing a kid for 1st team football. Our last great prospect had 6 games on loan at Nottingham Forest before being thrown into the first-team aged 20 - was John Terry unprepared for the rigours of 1st team football because he didn't get a chance at a Premier League team like Gael Kakuta and Michael Mancienne did?

So has Raheem Sterling.

There's no rule, yeah. But people tend to only think about football skills. He may appear mature on the pitch but psychologically he still has to gain experience.

As I said, the difference between playing for Watford and Chelsea is a huge difference, no matter how you look at it. You'd be an idiot if you'd deny that.

Yes, Terry was unprepared and the club took a gamble but that gamble wasn't anywhere near as big as a possible one with Chalobah. I think it's unfair to even compare those two, as the situations are completely different. Chelsea weren't competing for every title by that time JT was introduced, but we are now. That's why Liverpool can afford to play such a young talent. Much less pressure both on him and the club.

[Rmpr 8,977]

Chalobah is the best academy product since JT. He will absolutely be a future first-team player, i'm sure. He's growing into a superb young box-to-box player at Watford and the club obviously have very high hopes for him. He'll either stay at Watford and play PL next year on loan, or they'll loan him to a PL club in January (probably less likely). Talk of Chelsea first-team is probably a bit premature, he's only 18, there's no rush. He's going to be the future captain of Chelsea, i've no doubt.

Absolutely agree, I just don't know if he will be captain one day (many variables need to go his way until it happens). I have no doubts he will be a very good player for CFC though.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Chelsea weren't competing for every title by that time JT was introduced, but we are now.

In the season before John Terry started playing in the Chelsea first-team, we finished 5th.

Last year we finished 6th.

I know every single reason why we should take time with youngsters like McEachran (not physically ready) and Bamford or Kane (never likely to be good enough) - I just don't think they pertain to this particular youngster.

[Mufassir08 2,400]

I feel its best for all parties that nathan stays on loan for at least 2 more years.

[Slam Dunk 1,442]

Absolutely agree, I just don't know if he will be captain one day (many variables need to go his way until it happens). I have no doubts he will be a very good player for CFC though.

Obviously you're right, it's not a certainty, but i've got a good feeling about it. He's a natural leader. He's captained at both Youth and Reserve level for us, as well as captaining the England U17s at the age of 15, as well as also being the current U19 captain. He's got the pedigree, there's no question.

[Amblève. 4,995]

In the season before John Terry started playing in the Chelsea first-team, we finished 5th.

Last year we finished 6th.

I know every single reason why we should take time with youngsters like McEachran (not physically ready) and Bamford or Kane (never likely to be good enough - I just don't think they pertain to this particular youngster.

Seriously? Do you really want to compare those two sides? Chelsea is a completely different club compared to the one when JT became a first team player.

Well, then we have to agree to disagree

[The only place to be 11,313]

Seriously? Do you really want to compare those two sides? Chelsea is a completely different club compared to the one when JT became a first team player.

Well, then we have to agree to disagree

Yes seriously. The season before we finished third - I remember being excited about us pushing for the title because I was there.

Now like I've said, I know all the arguments for taking time with player development except most of that's based on me following Chelsea all my life and we don't really develop players. So what exactly is Chalobah missing from his game to be included in our first-team, because in my humble opinion he isn't missing anything except a little bit of fitness.

[Blue Gino 377]

David Luiz' move to midfield may actually have improved Chalobah's future with the club because it means the club won't have to go out and spend in January or the summer on an expensive transfer. Romeu will return in the summer, Essien maybe, so there's depth there if Roman can keep his finger off the panic button through 2013/14. Mikel will likely move on at some point and Essien's deal will be up after next season so 2014 would be the right time for Chalobah to get into the first team.

[Mr_President 404]

I agree with almost all of that (not too bothered that he's with Zola if I'm honest) but I'd be more inclined to bring him back next season and include him in the first-team. He's not like Mancienne or Bruma who you look at and think they need more time - he has that gift to slow the game down that you're either born with or you're not.

Yes, my preference would be to bring him back here as well. What I was suggesting was that, as is typical of Chelsea, if players were to be bought for large sums in his position then I would much rather he went back to Watford where he could play consistently rather than rotting on a bench with a manager too scared to play him for fear of the inevitable sack.

[Styles 9,790]

Didn't watch but heard he had a great game. Brilliant to hear! Luckily for him we didn't waste any time in getting him a good loan.

I really hope he progresses because he has the talent too. With some other young players you fall in love with the idea of somebody from the academy making it more than their actual talent. Chalobah is different, he has always looked like an adult playing with kids at youth level. It would be a real shame to be talking about what could have been with Chalobah in a few years time.

[OneMoSalah 8,886]

He'll be ready when hes 20 if he has success loan spells like the Watford one. I bet my house on that.

[The only place to be 11,313]

He'll be ready when hes 20 if he has success loan spells like the Watford one. I bet my house on that.

So you think he needs two more years of loans?

[Igi26 346]

I watched him yesterday, he was amazing. In my opinion club need to extend his loan till end of season, then I think he will be PL ready. Also I think he will be with us next season If Lampard leaves.