16 Jun 2017 18:16:57
Hey Ed

Was just wondering when decisions are made on the younger players such as Abraham, chalobah, baker and loftus.

Would appreciate it if you could share who is interested in them.

{Ed002's Note - Over the summer. (a) TA - Newcastle, Brighton, Anderlecht and Leicester. (b) NC - Not sure. (c) LB - Swansea, Ajax, Bournemouth. (d) RLC - Stoke, Brifgton, Bournemouth and Newcastle - could also potentially be sold if a decent offer arrived.}


1.) 16 Jun 2017
16 Jun 2017 20:40:38
Selling RLC now would be incredibly dumb. We should wait and see what he does when he's getting consistent minutes (something none of our coaches have ever given him, he's never had a fair chance) . A season of consistent playing time could see him show the talent he obviously has in abundance.
I've got a feeling I'll be left feeling disappointed at the end of the summer.


2.) 17 Jun 2017
16 Jun 2017 23:51:10
RLC got more opportunities than any other Chelsea academy player, and he flopped. He needs much more game which he will get in some smaller club like Baker did.
Better loan than sell, agreed!


3.) 17 Jun 2017
17 Jun 2017 07:46:38
20 minutes off the bench every 2 months does not equal getting an equal opportunity. Be realistic. Last time he played this season he made a very good impact off the bench against Stoke. After that Conte didn't use him again. Getting an opportunity would've meant that after that good sub appearance, Conte played him again (either starting him or subbing him in a little earlier the game after) . It's a damn shame.
RLC will make it at the top. We'll be fools to sell him.


4.) 17 Jun 2017
17 Jun 2017 08:23:51
I'm still on the fence on RLC. There's no doubt he's got fantastic attributes and strength. My issue is he's never really nailed down a position. go back to the youth teams and he always played best in a 3-man midfield, surrounded by players like Baker, Houghton, Colkett, Palmer, etc. He's not shown the tactical discipline to play as a two in midfield or the finesse/ skill to play further forward. it seems he's played further forward when he gets his (limited) opportunities as a damage limitation exercise.

For England youth teams he plays behind the striker and is successful as he can bully less physical players due to his size and power.

For me, RLC, Musonda and Boga are interesting as they've developed above youth football but are finding it really hard to make an impact at senior level. This will be a defining season for all three.


5.) 17 Jun 2017
17 Jun 2017 17:04:27
The problem with RLC though is that he doesn't put the shift in. How many times this season he looled slugish? I believe the boy should put his head down and work his socks off.


6.) 17 Jun 2017
17 Jun 2017 23:35:10
RLC has a very comparable game to Yaya Toure and Paul Pogba. A physical monster with a lot of ability with the ball however doesn't necessarily cover a ton of ground and works best in a 3 man midfield with 2 other guys who are all over the place. Unfortunately this position doesn't really exist in Conte's 343. The system has to suit the player in order to be successful.