Chelsea have a bad reputation for hoovering up teenage talent and then not using it, and that reputation is starting to catch up with them.
From the various members of the loan army who have spent the prime of their careers farmed around Europe, all the way up to the big names like Romelu Lukaku, Kevin de Bruyne and so on, youngsters coming to Stamford Bridge haven’t always had the best time.
We would argue that things have changed recently, and that the last season has seen more teenagers get a chance at Chelsea than almost anywhere else, but that sentiment will take a while to sink in.
SportWitness have quotes from a current talent who shows that the fear factor is still there:
Aster Vranckx said that Chelsea “is not the best choice for a teenager,” and that he would be “facing too high a level.”
Well, we think he should back himself. But we also respect his patience. It’s always better to play at that age, and worry about where later.
