A Change At Chelsea - Youth First

[Sam91]

Mourinho Leaves Again

Jose Mourinho has left Chelsea for a second time after a row with Roman Abramovich over how the youth players at Chelsea were being handled. Its rumoured Mr Abramovich wants to see more of the young players at the club given a chance and integrated into the first team. But he also wants the club to remain successful which Mourinho thinks isn't achievable.

Youth Coach Sam Birch will take over as he has a good knowledge of the youngsters and is confident of achieving the goals Roman Abramovich wants.

''This is a fantastic opportunity for myself but also for the club, since 2003 all we've done is paid big fees for players even though we've had brilliant young players who haven't been given a chance. No player has made it to the first team since JT came through. The likes of Lewis Baker, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Dom Solanke, Jeremie Boga and Izzy Brown will immediately be promoted to the first team and will see plenty of action this season.''

It looks to be an interesting season for Chelsea with Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas already having been signed, but this new promise of the youth players being played should make for a brilliant season for Chelsea fans who have longed for the youth to be given a chance after 3 FA Youth Cup's been won in the past 4 years.

 

[SamPeters]

Interesting concept mate, good luck with this, will this mean you will try get rid of some players like Mikel and Schurrle (sp?) for example?

 

[Sam91]

Interesting concept mate, good luck with this, will this mean you will try get rid of some players like Mikel and Schurrle (sp?) for example?

Yeah without a doubt I'm trying to offload both of them but if I can't ill just relegate them to the Under 21's. Nathan Ake is a more than capable DM cover for Matic and Charly Musonda/Jeremie Boga/Izzy Brown can cover Hazard on the LW instead of Schurrle. Ivanovic will also probably go as we have Toddy Kane to cover Azpi and 16 year old Jay Da Silva can be our 2nd choice left back behind Filipe Luis

 

[Sam91]

August 2014

Costa off to a flying start
Baker notches 2 assists in 2 games
Nathan Ake wins BPL Young Player of the Month



Transfers

Snapped up two of the best young players in the world in Munir and Patrick Roberts, both were loaned out though to get some solid game time. Sadly I couldn't get rid of Mikel of Schurrle but neither will play, Ivanovic was offloaded to Real and Ramires for a whopping fee to PSG.



League


Chelsea 5 - 0 QPR
Terry, Salah, Costa(3)

Brilliant win over a big rival on the first day of the season. Toddy Kane made a starting debut as new vice-captain Cesar Azpilicueta is out injured for a few weeks and had a brilliant game. Nathan Ake, Lewis Baker and 16 year old left back Jay Da Silva come off the bench.



Stoke 0 - 1 Chelsea

Costa

An injury crisis at centre back meant Nathan Ake made a start with Zouma, Cahill and Christensen all injured. But it was a straight forward win with Costa scoring just before the break, Stoke never really troubled our backline Todd Kane hugely impressing at right back.



Chelsea 6 - 0 Swansea

Willian, Terry, Hazard(2), Costa, Ake

Huge win over a good side, Ake and Kane impressing at the back once again. Eden Hazard turned it on a bit in this match after being subbed early against Stoke for Musonda after failing to impress me. Three clean sheets on the bounce is a brilliant sign too.


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Monthly Review


Brilliant first month in charge just what we needed. Defence have been insane considering Todd Kane's been at right back and Nathan Ake filling in for two games at centre back after Zouma got injured in the first match. Costa has been ridiculous up front, Salah has massively impressed on the right side but will sadly be out for 5 weeks now so someone's gonna have to step up. mabe Izzy Brown. Elsewhere Lewis Baker managed to get 2 assists, Nathan Ake notched his first goal for the club and Jay DaSilva became the clubs youngest ever player!!

In Champions League we drew Juventus, Sporting and Steau..... could be tricky especially Juve!!


Player of the Month

Todd Kane

Filled in amazingly for Azpi in all three games getting an average rating of 8.07



Table

Solid start, dominating the player stats too!!​

 

[SamPeters]

A brilliant month there mate, good to see the players progress like that already, i know Kane is a great RB, i had him on loan at Brighton on my first save with them and he was brilliant, Baker was ok too, Ake struggled for me but i brought in Loftus-Cheek and he was alright as well! keep it up!

 

[Sam91]

September 2014

Goals from Baker, Brown, Loftus-Cheek, Musonda and Solanke this month
Youngsters do the job in the Capital One Cup
Big test at the Eithad



League


Hull 1 - 3 Chelsea

Costa, Hazard, Baker(PEN)

Our injury crisis at the back got even worse with John Terry picking up a knock in training and will be out for 2 months!! With Christensen and Cahill both still not fully fit I was forced to play Ruben Loftus-Cheek in at centre back alongside Zouma, the lad did superb and even though we conceded early on he grew into the game and got a 7.2 rating!! Baker netted his first senior goal here.



Chelsea 2 - 1 Manchester City

Costa(2)

Recalled the big guns here to get a decent win over City. Costa netting twice early let us take control of the game nicely.



Sunderland 1 - 5 Chelsea

Oscar(2), Costa, Baker(PEN), Loftus-Cheek

First goal for Loftus-Cheek here and another for Baker from the spot!! Solid win here and nice to see Oscar grab a brace.


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Capital One Cup


Chelsea 4 - 0 Hull

Brown(2), Christensen, Musonda

Great performance from the youngsters and nice to see Izzy Brown scoring a double. Musonda had a good game at left wing too!! Christensen scored from a Baker corner. On to the next round where we face Leeds!!!!!


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Champions League


Chelsea 4 - 2 Steaua

Brown(2), Hazard, Oscar

Brown on the double here with 2 goals in the first 2 minutes!!! Hazard and Oscar also netted to give us a win in our first Champions League match.



Sporting 1 - 1 Chelsea

Solanke

Really disappointed here!! Costa had a mere so I subbed him for Solanke who scored his first goal for the club and became the youngest goalscorer in Champions League history!! Hazard missed a late penalty after I subbed our regular taker Lewis Baker.


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Monthly Review


Brilliant month for the youngsters with Loftus-Cheek and Izzy Brown impressing the most. RLC had to play at centre back on a number of occasions and didn't let me down at all. Izzy Brown scored 4 goals and Lewis Baker is seriously forcing his way into my first team and rightfully so. Musonda is also coming on nicely and Christensen is finally getting back to full fitness.

Hazard is shining too as is Costa, right wings a problem area with Oscar a bit hit and miss there as is Willian so Salah can stake a claim for it whens he back from injury. My only concern is Azpilicueta who seems to be struggling a tad but Todd Kane remains to shine when called upon.



Player of the Month

Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Great month from the lad who's played in numerous positions and shone in them all, fully deserved to cap his month with a goal against Sunderland.



Tables

Just the two points on United and fallen behind Juve in the Champions League... need something against them next month at their place.
​

 

[SamPeters]

Another great month there mate!

 

[meguel]

I've got Isaiah Brown and Loftus-Cheek (as well as having Solanke before) as San Marino and they've both progressed fantastically even under the CPU for most of their careers so far. Look forward to seeing how they turn out, particularly Isaiah.

 

[Nomad Ekaria]

No alex Kiwomya? Hes a monster winger that can make a real difference in a year or 2.

 

[Average Joe]

Nice! Are you going to slowly phase out the older players to bring in the academy players or buy in top youngsters?

 

[Sam91]

Nice! Are you going to slowly phase out the older players to bring in the academy players or buy in top youngsters?

The ultimate aim is to have a full team of academy players whether thats actually achievable we'll have to wait and see!!

No alex Kiwomya? Hes a monster winger that can make a real difference in a year or 2.

He's been injured sadly, I'm a huge fan of his though and he'll get a chance soon. I've actually had a chat with him on twitter in real life about Happy Feet before!!

I've got Isaiah Brown and Loftus-Cheek (as well as having Solanke before) as San Marino and they've both progressed fantastically even under the CPU for most of their careers so far. Look forward to seeing how they turn out, particularly Isaiah.

Brilliant, yeah I haven't managed to get too far into the game yet due to my laptop being awful, but now its finally sorted I can't wait to see how they progress!!

 

[Sam91]

October 2014

Injury crisis continues at centre back
Suffer our first loss of the season
Absolute thriller against Juve in the Champions League



League


Chelsea 2 - 1 Aston Villa

Hazard(PEN), Zouma

Easy win here, 2 goals early on gave us full control. Benteke pulled one back late on but we saw the game out with ease.



Arsenal 4 - 3 Chelsea

Costa, Baker(PEN), Hazard

This game was a joke. First back after two weeks off and I was left with just 1 natural fit centre back in Christensen!!! To rub salt into the wounds Ake went off injured and I was resorted to play Loftus-Cheek in centre back again. I was disappointed to throw away a 3-1 lead but with the injuries I had we put up a good fight.



Chelsea 2 - 0 Everton

Zouma, Oscar

Cahill got injured in this match on his comeback, solid win though with Zouma heading in from a Baker free kick. Oscar scored a nice goal in the 90th minute to put a gloss on the scoreline. Cesc came off injured and will miss two weeks.


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Champions League


Juventus 4 - 5 Chelsea

Matic, Hazard, Costa(2), Pereyra OG

What a stunning match!!! Looked like we were gonna get spanked with our makeshift defence but we came back immensely thanks to some magic from Eden Hazard and Diego Costa. Brilliant win!!

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Capital One Cup


Fourth Round

Leeds 3 - 5 Chelsea

Christensen, Brown(2), Boga, Drogba

Another victory in the Capital One Cup for our youngsters!! Solanke went off injured after 6 minutes though and I threw Drogba on for his first game of the season. Izzy Brown was the star again cutting in from the right scoring twice. Boga scored his first goal for the club too. QPR in the next round!!


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Monthly Review


Taking into account our injury crisis at centre back I'm really happy with this month. Some really entertaining games notably the Juve and Leeds match where our young lads really shone. Zouma's stepped up when he was back from injury in the absence of Cahill and Terry. Izzy Brown continues to hugely impress when called upon, same goes for Baker. But Ake and Christensen were needed a lot this month and did really well.

I've made two signings this month I felt we needed, both young and very good but I wont reveal them till January



Player of the Month

Andreas Christensen

The lad has stepped up well and impressed me in desperate circumstances!!



Table

Tightish at the top but you can see smaller little packs forming. In the Champions League its basically gonna be us and Juve battling for top spot.
​

 

[Sam91]

November 2014

Local lads do the job against West Ham
Drogba rolls back the years against Southampton
Izzy Brown saves us against Leicester



League


West Ham 1 - 4 Chelsea

Costa(2), Baker(2)

Youth academy lad Lewis Baker was clearly fired up here scoring two great goals inbetween a brace from Diego Costa. West Ham had Reid sent off after a dirty challenge on Izzy Brown.



Leicester 2 - 2 Chelsea

Oscar, Brown

Don't know what happened here we collapsed early on but Oscar's goal gave us a glimmer of hope. Izzy Brown saved us a point with his first league goal.



Chelsea 2 - 1 Southampton

Drogba(2)

Gave Didier a run out here when Costa was in need of a rest and Solanke and Brown both needed a breather too and he didn't let us down rolling back the years with a stunning header for his first and a tidy finish for his second. Shame he had to come off injured in the 53rd minute. Pelle netted for Southampton but we held on.



Burnley 1 - 2 Chelsea

Duff OG, Costa

We really struggled to break them down after they took the lead early on. we kept pressing but just couldn't break through but after Azpi drilled in a low cross which bundled in off Burnley player Duff I just felt we were gonna win. It came late after a ball was lumped forward and a mix up between the Burnley backline and goalkeeper Diego Costa rounded the stranded keeper and slotted home in the 90th minute!!!


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Champions League


Chelsea 2 - 1 Juventus

Costa, Hazard

Not quite as entertaining as the match in Turin but still a good game. We took the lead early through Costa, Hazard scored a stunning second in the 30th minute. Zouma turned the ball into his own net with 10 minutes left but we held on well.



Steaua 1 - 1 Chelsea

Oscar

Fielded a weakened side and it kind of backfired. Need a point against Sporting to guarantee top spot in the group.


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Monthly Review


Undefeated month which is always nice but not happy about the Burnley game and Leciester match. Those are games we have to be winning easily. Also not happy we didn't beat Steaua, the Sporting game is between two tough BPL games in Manchester United and Newcastle so its gonna be tough to keep players fit and get the results we need.

Really looking forward to January now with a brilliant youngster set to join... sure some of you could guess. Along with the other two lads I've signed its going to be great to have them here.



Player of the Month

Lewis Baker

A brace against West Ham and rotated really well with Fabregas. Also bagged BPL Young Player of the Month.



Tables

United and Arsenal keeping pace with us, I can see Newcastle slipping off. City sacked Pellegrini and I can see them signing Jose to replace him if I'm honest.​

 

[Sam91]

December 2014

League Cup tie goes to extra tie against QPR...
Izzy Brown's hot streak continues!!
Draw Napoli in Champions League knockout round.. Return of Rafa!!




League


Chelsea 4 - 2 Crystal Palace

Brown(2), Salah, Costa

Great win here save us slipping off in the last 10 minutes. Great to see Izzy bag another 2 goals!!



Manchester United 3 - 2 Chelsea

Costa, Cahill

So disappointed to throw away a 2 goals lead but we were missing Eden and Azpilicueta just isn't paying at all well this season which is weird! We'll pick ourselves up though.



Chelsea 3 - 0 Newcastle

Hazard(2), Oscar

Great response here, Hazard scored a superb double and Oscar netted a tidy little finish.



Liverpool 1 - 2 Chelsea

Hazard, Costa

We really didn't deserve this win at all. But I'll take it for sure!! Eden netting yet again, along with Costa who's having a brilliant season.



Chelsea 2 - 2 Tottenham

Salah, Brown

Salah's had a really good season for us and scored early on here. But we slipped up and fell behind, I then noticed I was using my wrong tactic!! Changed it and Izzy Brown got us one back but we couldn't get the winner sadly.



West Brom 2 - 2 Chelsea

Kiwomya, Oscar

Injuries and fitness meant Alex Kiwomya got a start and scored early on. They got one back and we replied through Oscar but Samaras netted again for them and we had to settle for a frustrating draw.


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Champions League


Chelsea 3 - 1 Sporting

Costa, Hazard, Solanke

Great win here to secure top spot. Nice to see Dom Solanke score.


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Capital One Cup


Quarter Final

Chelsea 0 - 0 QPR
(2-0 AET)

Solanke, Christensen

Fielded our young lads once again in the Capital One Cup and it was a back and forth match to be fair. But Solanke netted from Izzy Browns cross to score and Christensen scored a header from a Baker corner to secure us the win.


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Monthly Review


Solid enough month but performances seem to be slipping a bit. Azpilicueta has been average at best this season and needs to change, Todd Kane is genuinely challenging him. At left back I already have one lined up to come in and Filipe Luis could well be off after failing to impress. I have a couple of other young lads set to join too which will be great to see how they get on.

We've draw Palace in the Capital One Cup and Napoli in the Champions League which will be a tasty little tie!! Liverpool await us in the FA Cup Third round.



Player of the Month

Izzy Brown

Great month from the lad scoring 3 goals to take his tally to 10 for the season in all competitions!!



Tables

Breaking away a bit in the league even though we lost to United!! Sunderland, Palace and West Ham occupy the bottom 3 with only 1 win each this season.​

 

[Sam91]

January 2015

Three new arrivals
Manage to offload Remy
Pulling away in the league nicely



Transfers

Ins

In came 3 new lads this windown. 16 year old wonderkid who I'm sure everyone has heard of in Martin Odegaard, for the stats and potential this kids got £1.2m is a steal. Ruben Vezo is a centre back who I felt we needed with John Terry's contract running out in 6 months and his form not too great I'm 50/50 on giving him a new deal. Ricardo Rodriguez was signed up as Filipe Luis is 29 and has been very average for me.


Outs

Christensen went out on loan, he's been very good for me and I want him playing consistently but he's behind JT, Cahill and Zouma at the minute. Remy just wasn't playing at all, no chance of displacing Costa and Izzy Brown's been doing so well as has Solanke. Musonda was another I wanted playing regular football and with the arrival of Odegaard wasn't going to get much time.

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League


QPR 0 - 1 Chelsea

Terry

Very boring New Years Day game here bar an 89th minute winner from JT.



Chelsea 3 - 0 Stoke

Willian, Costa, Baker(PEN)

Finally a much better performance here. Costa and Willian early on, Lewis Baker slotted home a penalty late on to add to his growing tally.



Swansea 0 - 3 Chelsea

Costa, Brown(2)

Great to see Izzy Brown netting 2 more goals here as he filled in very nicely for Hazard. Costa scored another goal which I'm just getting used to!!



Manchester City 4 - 5 Chelsea

Zouma, Oscar(2), Costa, Fabregas

Just wow.... what a stunning game of football which really could have gone either way. Eden Hazard went missing here but Oscar and Cesc really stood up and put in stunning performances. Not too impressed with our defending mind!!


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Capital One Cup


Semi Final 1st Leg

Crystal Palace 1 - 4 Chelsea

Solanke, Brown(3)

Izzy Brown.... just what a player he's becoming for us. Stunning hat-trick here, and great to see Solanke net too.



Semi Final 2nd Leg

Chelsea 1 - 3 Crystal Palace

Costa

Woaaaaaahhhh nearly threw it away but we're in the final!!!


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FA Cup


Third Round

Liverpool 3 - 4 Chelsea

Costa(2), Willian, Cahill

Terry had a shocker here. But we come away with the win even though we probably didn't deserve it.



Fourth Round

Chelsea 1 - 1 Leeds

Baker(PEN)

A replay is something we really didnt need, Baker gave us an early lead. But maybe we underestimated Leeds a bit, it'll be tough going to their place but with a full strength side we should beat them.


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Monthly Review


Good month, happy with our signings especially Rodriguez. Couldn't get rid of Schurrle or Mikel at all which annoys me but they can continue to rot in the Under 21's. Cech asked to leave but PSG wouldn't give him enough wages so he'll stay put for now. Izzy Brown continues to really impress me, his stats are increasing at a crazy rate:

Immense stuff. We have a number of good forwards at the club, Bamford's just come back off loan. I've been playing him on the wings mainly.



Player of the Month

Oscar

Been hugely impressive all season and this month in particular.



Tables

Storming the league here. Can let me concentrate on other areas and give some of the young lads more game time.​

 

[SamPeters]

This has gone way better than I expected, thought you might struggle with some of the kids coming in but they have done great!

 

[Sam91]

February 2015

Costa injured for 2 months
Tight replay against Leeds
Arsenal catching up...



League


Chelsea 5 - 0 Sunderland

Cahill, Hazard(2), Ake, Costa

Great win here over Sunderland. Great to see Ake on the scoresheet.



Aston Villa 0 - 1 Chelsea

Terry

A JT goal in the 12th minute secured a win us against our Capital One Cup final opponents!!



Chelsea 3 - 1 Hull City

Baker, Willian, Costa

Lewis Baker gave us a lead with a beaut of a free kick. Hull equalised though, but late goals from Willian and Costa won us the game.



Chelsea 1 - 2 Arsenal

Hazard

Yeah we lost but even worse Diego Costa picked up an injury which will see him miss 2 months.. probably the most important months of our season. Izzy Brown will now be our number 1 striker, what responsibility for the lad!!! The Ox scored straight after Eden's equaliser after Zouma hit a backpass too short.


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FA Cup


Fourth Round Replay

Leeds 3 - 4 Chelsea

Costa(2), Fabregas(PEN), Cahill

What a game, waaay tighter than I wanted it to be but ultimately we walked away with a win over a big rival.



Fifth Round

Chelsea 5 - 0 Grimsby

Brown(2), Solanke(3)

Somehow Grimsby made it this far!! I fielded some of the kids and Izzy Brown and Dom Solanke didn't disappoint at all. Really great to see Solanke, who's been outshone by Brown this season, net a tidy little hat-trick. They both seem to work really well together when Brown plays LW.


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Champions League


First Knockout Round 1st Leg

Napoli 5 - 3 Chelsea

Brown(2), Baker

**** it.... not too sure how to take this. Three away goals all scored by our young lads is great but conceding five goals is never acceptable in my eyes!! We're still in with a chance, its funny that Costa missed this game but Brown stood up to the challenge and shone.


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Monthly Review


Not a bad month but that injury to Costa is a huge blow. We now rely on 18 year old Izzy Brown to lead the line, hopefully he's ready. I don't see the point in playing Drogba, and Brown's shown this season he's better than Solanke to be honest. Izzy is on 19 goals in all competitions this season but just 6 have come in the league....



Player of the Month

Eden Hazard

Been immense all season, we now rely on him even more with Costa out.



Tables

League's far from wrapped up, kind of feeling like our seasons hopes now rest on the shoulders of 18 year old Izzy Brown...

​

 

[Godfish93]

Really enjoying this, great idea mate.

 

[Sam91]

Really enjoying this, great idea mate.

Thanks mate, so frustrating seeing the likes of Lewis Baker ect. not given a chance IRL when they're so talented

 

[SamPeters]

**** with Costa mate but still going strong! hopefully Brown can pull through for you in this late stage