Posts Tagged ‘Michael Mancienne’

Arnesen CFC Reserve Team Raids Continue But No Threat To Youth Development

Since leaving Chelsea at the end of the season Frank Arnesen has wasted no time plundering the Chelsea Reserves on behalf of his new employers Hamburg.

So far Jacopo Sala and Michael Mancienne have followed the Dutchman to Germany and it is rumoured that Gokhan Tore may be on his way to Hamburg as well.

On first glance this may worry Chelsea fans seeing so many young players on their way out of the club, however no matter how much fans crave more first team action those being targeted were unlikely to establish themselves at Chelsea.

Therefore we should happily allow Arnesen to target these players as those with a chance of success at Chelsea are unlikely to move as they would not want to and the club would never agree.

What it does show is that Arnesen still backs the work he did at Chelsea and his own scouting talents. He will no doubt be desperate for one of those on the move will go on to great things to prove his strategy at Chelsea was justified.

It is always sad to see youth players leave as everyone wants to see players they have tracked through the youth ranks develop.

For those who don’t such as Mancienne and Sala I would like to wish you all the best, unless you are playing Chelsea of course.

Seven Seasons Since Russian Revolution – Now It Is Time For Evolution

Revolution: a sudden, complete or marked change in something

In what have been the most successful seven seasons in the history of Chelsea Football Club, Roman Abramovich has turned the Blues from a relatively big English team to a worldwide franchise competing for Football’s top prizes every year. Based on the definition above, the takeover of Chelsea was certainly a definitive revolution.

Three Premier League titles, three FA Cup triumphs and two League Cups have been the result of the huge investment pumped into the West London club by the Russian billionaire who has become synonymous with Chelsea.

There can be no doubt that without him the club would still be trailing the wake of Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool. He has made Chelsea one of the biggest clubs in Europe and has done so not only by investment in playing staff.

His roubles have touched everything at the club, from the hand driers in the stadium toilets to the wonderful training facilities at Cobham. Yes, the Russian who made Chelsea his plaything in 2003 has certainly laid the foundations for success.

Of course, the players who have put on the Blue shirts at Stamford Bridge each week have been the integral part of the glory. Without Drogbas and Carvalhos the Chelsea side would never be able to compete for major silverware each season, and this is only possible because of the Russian’s cash.

The current Blues squad has its problems. A lack of creativity and the need for another back up goalkeeper are not the only issues facing Chelsea in 2010. The fact is, the team must start to evolve into an Abramovich ‘second generation’ side, as the players who have been so effective for the Londoners in recent years are coming towards the end of their playing days.

Frank Lampard, John Terry, Didier Drogba and Ashley Cole are considered perhaps the spine of the Chelsea team, but all are heading towards the twilight of their careers. Terry and Cole have four years left at the top, but Lampard and Drogba are now 32 and cannot be expected to carry the side after next season. Without goals from them both Chelsea would not have won the league and cup last time out.

Evolution: a gradual change in something/ the gradual development of plants, animals, etc. over many years as they adapt to changes in their environment

Therefore there needs to be a change in SW6, a gradual development of a new squad, or one could say Evolution. Of course, this has already started with Michael Ballack and Juliano Belletti leaving the club this summer and Ricardo Carvalho having one season left at the most.

The signings which the chequebook will be opened for must be youthful and shrewd. There must also be a more active role in the first team for the youth players who have done so well at junior level, and promised so much when shown a glimpse of the first team.

Gael Kakuta, Michael Mancienne, Sam Huchinson, Jeffry Bruma and Fabio Borini could be the next batch of players whose names grace the replica shirts in the stands and in parks, but only if they have the opportunity to learn and grow. For the team to evolve there must be a gradual inclusion of these young players as the old guard are faded out. This is the only way that the word success can become as synonymous with Chelsea Football club as Abramovich has.

Players such as the Brazilians Ramires and Neymar would be fantastic for the future of the team, blending them into a new Chelsea, a second generation just as Ferguson and Wenger have done at United and Arsenal.

Chelsea have one of the best coaches in the game today, with an outstanding record. However, it may be the club’s driving ambition to win the Champions League which hampers the progress of Ancelotti. If he is given three years to rebuild this squad, there could be tremendous rewards for those who had the patience to allow him to do so.

The irony is, however, that it is the man who has taken Chelsea this far who may hinder the transitional phase which faces his club in its near future. Winning the Champions League has always been the dream for Abramovich, but some patience now and building a new squad properly will reap huge rewards in the long term.

On the other hand, impatience and sacking the coach for the failure to win the coveted prize instantly will only delay the day that the European Cup can be added to the ever growing list of Chelsea honours.