09 May 2019 18:03:41
I see there have been a couple of posts and Ed's comments on here regarding Reece James potentially not playing for the club next year, and possibly having another year out on loan.

Personally I'm a massive fan of James, I've mentioned it on here before, and I fully expect him to be a Chelsea player for years to come. I'd also expect the club, Sarri or whoever is head coach, to have a look at him over the summer/ pre-season before any final decision is made.

But another year on loan could be the best thing for his development. Brighton and, if Wan-Bissaka leaves, Crystal Palace have been mentioned as potential options for him. A successful year at either of these teams will prove he's ready for our team.

I'm guilty of getting carried away with wanting our young British loan players in our first team but I end up asking myself one question. If that player wasn't already a Chelsea player, would I want the club to sign them? A year starting week in week out in the Premier League will do him the world of good. If he performs like RLC did at Palace, and breaks into international consideration, then that's a player whose ready to come and compete at Chelsea. If were honest then right now he has just had a very good season at a low level Championship team, further development might be required.


1.) 09 May 2019
09 May 2019 18:18:20
Azpilicueta will next year probably be on the same downward slope Ivanovic finished on. He’s average at crossing he can’t beat a man and he’s not the same best 1v1 defender in league that he use to be. It’d be an outrage if James doesn’t come back. I don’t expect him to start straight away but I expect him to do what RLC has done and win his starting place. Full backs and striker are our weakest areas, if the ban is uplifted we need to be ruthless like City. Alonso, Baba and Zappa sold, Azpi and Emerson as back ups with hopefully James and a new LB preferably Chilwell/ Telles starting for us. I love Azpi but he’s on his way out.


2.) 09 May 2019
09 May 2019 21:07:48
I expect Ola Aina to be in the squad next season. Aina is 22 and Reece James is only just turned 19. Also, Aina has been playing Left Back most of the season so can cover both full back positions.


3.) 09 May 2019
09 May 2019 21:59:29
But James is better than Azpi and Aina?


4.) 10 May 2019
10 May 2019 00:42:19
That question of asking if he wasn’t a Chelsea player would we sign him is irrelevant to me. A youth academy is for players to come through and play for the team. It’s become the norm at Chelsea to just ship them out so we don’t understand that like other clubs.

We could have saved a lot of money if we utilised some of our youth players rather than buying backup players (Zappacosta, Barkley, Batshuayi Drinkwater) the list goes on.


5.) 10 May 2019
10 May 2019 08:45:49
What youth players have been enough.


6.) 10 May 2019
10 May 2019 11:03:52
Aina is signing for Torino isn’t he?


7.) 11 May 2019
11 May 2019 00:06:55
He undoubtedly will be, but us he right now Chelsea Nick? Hand on heart, would you have heard of him if he wasn't already a Chelsea player? Also would you want the club to sign him if he wasn't a Chelsea player already?


8.) 11 May 2019
11 May 2019 01:34:48
Bakayoko as well, Loftus Cheek has always been better than him.


9.) 11 May 2019
11 May 2019 01:52:15
I think it's more highlighted at Chelsea because of the amount of players we have on loan and the success of our youth team.

Look at the rest of the top six, or even the top ten, in the Premier League. There's a tiny percentage of youth players coming through to be regulars in first team squads.