Dont know if anyone saw the below article on the BBC website the other night. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16601927.stm Basically Chelsea have signed three brothers from Luton Town (all between 12 and 13) for £1m, the worrying thing that I saw in this was: C'mon they're 12 years old, when Charlton lost in the PlayOff Semi's to Crystal Pal-arse back in 1995 was it? Did any fans think, oh perhaps Charlton arent big enough for my ambitions. The good thing about this is the fact I'm sure we've heard the last of them now - They'll probably end up like Tosan Popo, released by Chelsea at a young age and ended up with us.
Was released by Chelsea / Was released by Wet Spam then joined us (according to Wiki) God I hope for his sake we dont release him now. On another note good to see Tobi Sho-Silva / Joe Pigott / Semi Ajayi and Adebayo Azeez all being given their Professional Contracts AllHell, your a frequent visitor to watch the U18s arent you? What do you make of this news - Do you think any of these will go on to break into our First Team?
Tobi Sho-Silva (first year) a quick as you like (a former 400m flat schoolboy international I think) good ball control, good finisher and good shape for modern footballer. Chances of making first team at some point 8/10 Joe Pigott (second year) good goals record in pre-season/start of season then got injured, now finding it hard to get back into team (Gerard a first year was keeping him out - we have a lot of hopes for Gerard) tall lad, good ball control and can finish. Pace is his only problem, not slow but one paced. Chances of making first team at some point 5/10 Semi Ajayi (second year) tall centre half/right back. Needs to bulk up a bit but good in the air with a very good long pass on him. Slightly questionable under pressure but much better that last season when he looked rather scared in possession. OK pace and quite a good tackle. Chances of making first team at some point 6.5/10 Adebayo Azeez (second year) a beast of a centre forward [think of a young JF Moneybank] powerful runner, quick, good in the air and likes to find space around defenders by going wide but can finish well when given the chance. Chances of making first team at some point 7.5/10
On the OP, I read an article in the local paper recently about Mansfield Town having to shut down their academy when they got relegated from the League. Could something like this have had a bearing on their decision - that they weren't able to get from Luton anything approaching what they can get from a league club, especially someone like Chelsea
If we are serious about getting promoted this season, these are the kind of players we really should be looking at.
