24 Dec 2015 09:32:57
Ed2 is there any highly rated youngsters us fans should keep an eye on over the next few years buddy. Not coming too us mind, but players who will potentially go on too be world class.

{Ed002's Note - A few to keep an eye on (and probably a lot I missed): In South America the highest profile youngsters attracting the attention of major European sides are Gabriel (Santos), Emanuel Mammana and Balanta (both of River Plate), Ezequiel Ponc (Newells), Douglas Coutinho (Atletico Paranaese) and Martin Astina & Joaquin Ibanez (both Lanus).

In Europe, Chelsea has Manea, Pasalic, Nathan, Kenedy, Boga and Traore - all of which are expected to go on to have very good careers. Monaco have snapped up Gabriel Boschilia from Sao Paulo, Spurs the well thought of Dele Alli, Real Madrid both Lucas Silva and Odegaard, and Barcelona Lee (although he cost them a transfer ban). The old Eastern Bloc countries are being scoured for players right now with certain sides building working relationships with clubs out there. Chelsea has already taken Manea from Viitorul Constanta in Romania and Liverpool are likely to complete a deal for Grujic. Ante Coric (of Dinamo Zagreb) is destined for an excellent xareer if he doesn't move too early. In Italy Franck Kessie, Simone Scuffet, Giuseppe Scalera, Valmir Berisha and Giuseppe Pezzella are building reputations for themselves. In Spain, Santi Mina and Marcos Asenio are expected to make it at the highest level. Ajax and PSV have a number of youngsters who will move on to bigger and better things. In Portugal Talisca and Neves remain very well thought of although Talisca is not in favour right now. In France Marquinos looks to be header for success.

A special mention goes to Mosquito (who has screwed up a promising career and rebuilding it in Spain with Llagostera - but something is going on in the backgound with another club).

Watch out for Oleksandr Zinchenko popping up in France and Dinamo Zagreb teenager Josip Brekalo who Everton are showing an interest in.}

1.) 24 Dec 2015
24 Dec 2015 10:13:18
Fantastic thanks ed. Chelsea do seem too be a very well run club, but one thing can i ask, is why i never see these players come through the ranks. Chelsea seem too win a lot of youth tournaments and have some very talented players but i never see them in the squad. Is it a matter of loaning them out and not turning out how the club anticipated, so sold on for a small profit?

{Ed002's Note - Just taking these, Manea arrived when he was 18 in the summer and has started his apprenticeship with Mouscron-Péruwelz - a club Chelsea are just starting to buikld a relationship with. Pasalic had a good season on loan in La Lig last season and is having a very good time down in Monaco right now - and the club are very impressed indeed - he is the player that Chelsea have who Grujic would have followed in the footsteps of at Chelsea - but two years behind him). Nathan arrived in the summer and his path starts in Arnheim - and it is going very well indeed. Kenedy is part of the first team squad and has appeared in half a dozen or so games already this season for Chelsea. Boga is on loan at Rennes and may well go on loan elsewhere for the second half of the season. Bertrand Traoré is part of the first team squad and has appeared in the league and Champions League this season.

Obviously, like all clubs, many of the younger players have to move on to get opportunities. It is a fact of life, like the senseless slaughter of turkeys in December.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek has come through the ranks as has Ola Aina (you might want to check his England scoring record as a full back) and they will get opportunities as they grow in to first team players.}

2.) 24 Dec 2015
24 Dec 2015 10:52:01
Brilliant again ed. Looks very promising for the future then for chelsea. Would you suggest then that lfc send grujic on loan next season perhaps.

{Ed002's Note - A resolution to the hiccup there is at the moment would have been to agree an 18 month loan back without charging his club. Liverpool don't want to do that. Additionally, they are not structured to be able to manage loans that well at present - but it is an area they want to improve. I can only say what Chelsea's plan was - they offered a lower transfer fee (that could have been resolved) but would not be looking at him for the first team for probably two and a half years. That would comprise an initial loan back to Red Star (perhaps even next season at Red Star if they got in the Champions League - but that was not Chelsea's preference) and then a year on loan in Europe as he is seen as being behind the pecking order of another midfield player (Pesalic) who is going through that process with Chelsea already. In terms of drpping straight in to a side with continuity then perhaps Anderlecht would have been a good option. The kid wanted Inter Milan but as I explained the cash upo front would have been a problem for them. Liverpool has committed significant wages and a used Gerrard shirt to the player so I assume he will be part of the first team squad. Although much is expected of him, it is a big step up in one go.}

3.) 24 Dec 2015
24 Dec 2015 11:59:10
What do you think about his father confiscating his passport (his own words)?

Very low move, he doesn't have a right to do that. Grujic is 19 years old- legally an adult-and should have responsibility for his own decisions. Let the kid make his own choices.

{Ed002's Note - You want him to go to Inter then?}

4.) 24 Dec 2015
24 Dec 2015 12:18:10
So you're saying that his dad actually pushed a move towards Liverpool? That's very confusing after you read his public quotes.

{Ed002's Note - I didn't say anything of the sort Nick.}

5.) 24 Dec 2015
24 Dec 2015 12:31:48
So what has his dad got to do with Inter then?

{Ed002's Note - Nothing at all Nick.}

6.) 24 Dec 2015
24 Dec 2015 12:39:14
Nick,

Grujic Jnr wants to move to Inter Milan.

However Red Star want him to move to Liverpool as they want or need the money we can offer up front.

To complete the weird love triangle though, Grujic Snr wants his son to stay at Red Star.

7.) 24 Dec 2015
24 Dec 2015 16:39:39
Certainly hope Mosquito do not develop into his namesake of a players. I already can imagine those headlines if he is always warming bench.

8.) 24 Dec 2015
24 Dec 2015 14:43:27
Which was the Chelsea youth that supposedly nutmegged Fabregas and he reacted badly?

{Ed002's Note - Charly Musonda but I rather expect him to be sacrificed by the club and it is not out of the question he will end up in Monaco.}

9.) 24 Dec 2015
24 Dec 2015 15:27:41
Ola Aina may well end up at Liverpool possibly in the Summer.

{Ed002's Note - I think if Liverpool did have any interest and were able to speak to the player, and critically, offer him first team football guarantees then something can be done. It strikes me as unlikely that the club would be willing to make such a commitment. A couple of clubs have approached Chelsea about him.}

10.) 26 Dec 2015
26 Dec 2015 00:43:05
Not a regular poster except for the odd sarcasm but your time and effort hasn't gone unnoticed! Brilliant stuff! Amazing! Thankyou :-D.