I had forgotten about the Ankersen and Brentford thing. Their record with strikers in particular was very impressive. Whether that can be replicated as well in the premier league compared to league one and the championship is pretty key. Hopefully it can
Yeah, hard to say, but a number of the strikers they bought while One Red Paperclip-ing themselves to the PL have ended up being fairly successful in the PL, as well, which suggests that they were good at identifying striker skillsets, more than having a system that makes strikers look good, etc.
Yeah, I was thinking this at the weekend actually. I mean who the hell is Yoane Wissa? I had to Wiki search to find out his previous clubs but he's been a really good signing for Brentford.
And Mbeumo. Had one good season in Ligue 2, immediately stepped up to the Championship and then performed well in the PL. Their hit rate is good enough that I have to think that they know what they're looking for.
Disagree. Chelsea's academy is top notch so will be playing top class youth football and if he doesn't get first team chances he can do a Tino and leave.
Yep. And the number of Saints youth team players to have broken into our first team in recent years is not exactly something to boast about. Tella and Smallbone. Sort of. A bit.
It’s difficult introducing youngsters into a failing first team that we have had for the last three managers
We aren't always a 'failing' team though. We were lucky enough to have survived - more or less - with a quarter of the season remaining. That's a significant number of games in which there was nothing to play for. How many youngsters were introduced even for just the final five minutes of a game? Who knows, if we'd have brought Dibling on, say, for 20 minutes against Leicester, that might have been just enough to encourage him to stay.
As you have written CGT; our academy contributions have been underwhelming for a while now, whereas Chelsea has been churning out excellent players. I can see the attraction of going to Chelsea over us, the money is a bonus. For a young player, this could be viewed as a win - win outcome.
And in 3 years, when his contract at Chelsea is coming to an end, he will be able to go wherever he wants (providing he is any good), just like Tino. He's playing the system, and yeah, can't blame him. Chelsea are taking a risk, knowing full well that they could be shelling out a lot in wages for a player who might never actually make the grade.
First contract is so important. Any one of these youngsters could not make the grade or suffer from injuries and never play at the highest level. When you are offered Championship wages at 16 you take it. The fact that you do so by moving from one excellent academy to another is a bonus.
“I think he has been one of the greatest additions to the Premier League, let alone Leeds United, this century." Never change Leeds fans
Yeah some good points actually. When only viewing it from a money point of view it’s definitely the correct decision. My problem is that for every Tino that manages to escape Chelsea, there are 10 Mcheachrans and Ruben loftus cheeks who could have been stars and instead ended up getting zero playing time and floundering. They have a habit of destroying young careers. Gallagher and tino last season seem to have made everyone forget this. Chelsea are an awful club and their hoarding and destruction of young players is something that should be stopped IMO
Jury’s still out on Gallagher as we have no idea how much game time he will get there this season. Especially if the chips are down and they need results Also some of their linked players suggest a change in formation (potentially). Either that or I can’t see where Sterling really fits into Tuchel’s 5-2-2-1. Perhaps he will be the one through the middle. But if he is one of the two then that really limits Gallagher
Actually quite happy with that. Definitely an upgrade, just hope the finances on the deal are reasonable enough.
I think he would he a decent back up to JWP, Unless we plan on playing a 3 man midfield now. As you said, The Finances would have to be sensible., Like for like almost.
