Disappointing end, I missed most of the game and only caught the last 15-20 minutes. Looks like we just completely capitulated and allowed the occasion to get to us, we had a few chances to draw level late on but we should've been more assured at the back, especially after going 1-0 up giving us a 3-0 agg lead. Still, it's a learning experience for them, they've done well and lost to the team that will be playing in their 4th consecutive final in the competition.
Chelsea's youth system is overloaded with good players at the moment. It must be costing them a lot of money. They've started to recoup a lot of it by selling some on for very good fees, though. Surprising that more sides don't emulate it, especially as they'd actually use the players. Some of our youngsters seem to have a lot of potential, but there's not quite the quality across the board at the moment that Chelsea possess. A few of their starters look like they're ready to play in the Premier League already. Izzy Brown got a start at West Brom 2 years ago before they poached him. It'll be interesting to see how he develops. They've got about 30 players out on loan at the moment, so he's got a lot of competition ahead of him.
For those who have BT Sports, they are showing live our under 21 game with Chelsea this afternoon. Kick Off is 3:15.
Yedlin is named in our squad, so it will be a good opportunity to take a look at him. Just about to leave for the game, it's only about a 40 minute drive for me.
Cheers. I did catch a little of the recent game against Chelsea but it's nice to see BT sport show these matches instead of trying to get a decent stream!
Chelsea's manager being told to stop mouthing off like a twat. That'd never happen in the Premier League.
Nice double save at the end by McGee, though he might've palmed the first attempt into a less dangerous area. Not had much to do, but he did most of it well.
I liked Winks in the middle and Yedlin impressed me. Ceballos was having a good second half before he had to go off. Miller and McEvoy had a few good moments and Carter-Vickers looked solid at that level too. I completely understand why Yedlin hasn't been in the 1st team yet but if Walker is going to be gone for a while you might think he could get in because the team needs a natural RB rather than Chiriches or Dier doing a job there IMO.
New US national team technical advisor and former World Cup-winner Berti Vogts on Yedlin: He is under pressure to break into our team but Pochettino still believes we have a slim chance of top four, although he may just be saying that while imagining the stern face of Levy!....but Yedlin may need to wait until next season or the final game of this season for a cameo.
Vogts seems to be having a hard time understanding that Yedlin played 25 games in the 2014 MLS season, between March and October, plus got flown to Brazil for the World Cup inbetween. Having him go straight into our side will mean he'd have played 14 out of 15 months straight, which is going to burn him out incredibly quickly. Although it has to be said he's had four months rest and time to settle in, so if Poch wouldn't mind resting Walker for a few games...
Yedlin played over 60 club games in 2 years, and a World Cup campaign before his move to us. The step up over here in competition and quality will take some getting used to for him, and he has to deal with the expectation on him from back home without the support of his friends and family that he has left behind. He's pretty high profile in the US football world after all. Although there is no language barrier for him he's a young guy who has moved half way around the world for the first time and he doesn't know anyone. He also got injured with the USMNT just after his move to us so that may have held him back. All of that means that we may well have to wait for next season for him to make his breakthrough, although Walker's injury may force Pochettino's hand. I think its right to be careful with him and I don't think its a cause for concern at all.
That's what gets me the most, any US-based fan (such a fair number of the comments section regulars over at Cartilage Free Captain) seems completely oblivious about the amount of football Yedlin played in the last year and the reasons he needs to have a rest before being eased into the team, instead they kvetch about him not playing 90 minutes every week.
