Chelsea is more like Ajax this season believes former Blues defender Mario Melchiot, Melchiot who played for Chelsea from 1999 to 2004 said “Chelsea is bringing in the former players to coach, who will help the push for youth that they want to bring through. If I was a young player at Chelsea, then I would be so excited. You have a coach who will give you an opportunity because of his own opportunity at a young age,” he told news outlet Goal.
“In his mind, it makes sense to do that. He also can’t bring in new players for at least a year so he has to use what he has around him. This is your chance. I have been a long advocate that Chelsea should use their youth player because they win so much at youth level.
“Now, I am also going, to be honest with the young guys, if you don’t take the chance, then you can’t make excuses if you don’t make it. This is your year. The ones in the first team or just below have a big chance. I saw Frank Lampard was watching the Under 23s. He knows he might need those players. This is their chance. We do it at Ajax so that’s our model. Chelsea is more like Ajax this season. They can’t make big signings but the smart thing to do is promote the young boys.”
He then went on to explain, “If they qualify again for Europe, it is a big success. Even the Europa League. Asking to win the league is silly. They can build on a European finish. They will build on the young players, then sign more alongside a group of successful homegrown talent. Bringing through homegrown talent is a success in itself. You see Chelsea’s youngsters won a lot of trophies but the real trophy is now that they are being used.”
Chelsea fielded their youngest lineup in 25 years against Norwich last Saturday and will hope that they can make a run in the champions league this season.
