Thomas Tuchel depending on Dujon Sterling to deal with Rudiger's exit.
Speaking in the pre-match press conference ahead of Chelsea’s semi-final clash against Crystal Palace as quoted by Football London, Blues boss Thomas Tuchel has vowed that he will always try to use as many academy players as possible in the first team.
Chelsea have long been known for their famed Cobham academy which has produced many talented players in the recent past like Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Billy Gilmour, Armando Broja, Conor Gallagher, Tammy Abraham, Kurt Zouma, Timo Livramento, Fikayo Tomori amongst many others.
The latest player out of Cobham to establish himself in the first team this season has been Trevoh Chalobah who has made a name for himself in the Blues team this season. The English centre-back impressed in pre-season and has not looked back since.
Tuchel has shown that he is not shy of using academy graduates or youngsters for that matter and there is no doubt that he will continue to do so. Speaking about the usage of academy graduates, Tuchel said it is a necessity rather than a luxury.
“We will always use as many academy players where possible. I said before, I think it makes the club very special and makes every team in the world very special if you have a mix between world-class players, big personalities from abroad and outside the club, and mixed with academy boys.”
However, he urged the Cobham boys to step up and reach the standards expected of them so that they can be considered for the first-team set-up. This will help the Blues generate a conveyor belt of talent coming through the ranks.
“It is very important also for academy boys to match the level, to realise the level of commitment, of professionalism, of players that come from other clubs, bring the best of their cultures. It is very, very important for our youngsters and academy players to accept that mix and accept that challenge. Then it can be very special because this is what makes teams special, that there are plates from the academy.”
The Cobham academy has been a factory of talent that keeps on producing top quality players again and again. Although the latest one out of the conveyor belt is Chalobah, he is definitely not the last one.
In Thomas Tuchel, the Blues have a manager who is willing to trust in the academy and give them priority. However, it should not be at the compromise of quality. If the players have the talent and right attitude to succeed, they should be given a chance to impress at Stamford Bridge.
A lot depends on the new owners who take over at Chelsea and it remains to be seen if they put in the same effort and give the same importance to the academy as the previous ownerships. Otherwise, the Cobham academy stands the danger of fading away.
It is fundamental for the Blues that their new owners give the required importance and financial backing to the academy and continue the age-old tradition of producing talented players from within. From the manager’s side, he has given assurance that the academy is essential to his plans. The Blues will want to hear a similar outlook from their new owners as well.
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