Chelsea FC: Can Jose Mourinho Afford to Play the Blues' Youth Talent?

In this calendar year, Jose Mourinho has given five Chelsea Academy products their first-team debut: Lewis Baker (19), John Swift (19), Andreas Christensen (18), Dominic Solanke (17) and Ruben Loftus-Cheek (18).

None of the five have featured more than once.

Since Roman Abramovich took control of the club in June 2003, there has been a precipitous drop in Academy players integrating into Chelsea's first team; whether by lack of skill or from buying finished items, keeping in-house talent at arm's length seems a reoccurring theme.

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The current crop of Blues' youngsters, however, are not talent-deprived; from the U18s, U21s and those on loan, Chelsea have no shortage of promising footballers—yet building teams through academies, rather than transfers, has become scarce in top-flight English football.

To win, and win at the highest level, teams must acquire players who are finished (or nearly finished) developing, and play them accordingly—not start from scratch.

Chelsea, since their Russian takeover, have had no issue with money, as Abramovich has funnelled over £2 billion, per The Independent's Steve Tongue, into the west London club. Many millions went to improving the stadium and training facilities, but the majority has gone to acquiring the best talent the world had on offer: Claude Makelele, Didier Drogba, Eden Hazard, Oscar, Michael Essien, and on the list goes; footballers who earned the right to play, and play often.

So what becomes of the youth already in house? They either stay in Chelsea's system until being deemed surplus or are shipped to teams across the world in a mammoth loan operation: The Blues currently have 12 former U21 players on loan.

While doing his best to give promising kids their chance in the Chelsea first team, Mourinho has the albatross of winning football matches draped around his neck.

It appears Alan Hansen's quote: "You can't win anything with kids," still rings true. By sacrificing proven talent in first-team positions to hasten the development of Chelsea's youth, Mourinho—and many Chelsea bosses before him—would run the risk of losing games and finding themselves promptly unemployed.

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Should the owner set two trophies as the season's target, no longer can domestic cups be developmental competitions, the manager must send out his best team to win the desired silverware.

For example, Chelsea have drawn Watford in the third round of the FA Cup. Not wanting to risk a loss, Mourinho is likely to play Cesc Fabregas, Nemanja Matic, Ramires or John Obi Mikel. Though overpowered selections, they represent the safest options. Meanwhile fans will clamour for Loftus-Cheek and/or Baker to be given games, but playing the kids Mourinho would put the trophy in doubt—as the teens are not yet experienced enough to start.

Which creates the "between a rock and a hard place" realisation one comes to: Mourinho cannot afford to play Chelsea's youth talent consistently. Expectation from all-around requires expedient winning.

From graduates of the Blues' youth system, only John Terry has produced an influential career at Stamford Bridge over the past dozen years, which speaks to the Blues' trust issues. Terry was an established first-team footballer three seasons before Abramovich's London arrival, so his blueprint has been harder to replicate for those following.

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Not to be downtrodden, as transfer methodology changes—with UEFA's Financial Fair Play for instance—Chelsea must make using their Academy players a priority. The likes of Baker, Loftus-Cheek, Solanke and others possess what it takes to be first-team footballers, so there is every expectation they will succeed; but where they succeed is another question altogether.

Mourinho, per the Daily Mail's Oliver Todd, expounded on his wish to make Chelsea's youngsters international and first-teamers; but doing so at Chelsea is, at times, unfeasible. The aforementioned loan system works on occasion, e.g. Thibaut Courtois, but can also backfire. Having so many players on one's books can lead to situations where Matic leaves Stamford Bridge for virtual pennies and is brought back for £21 million.

Chelsea's boss has, via the London Evening Standard's Simon Johnson, stated his desire is to remain in west London for an extended period. Maintaining a consistent presence and philosophy should streamline Academy progression, but it will take time.

Therefore, while the talent exists, do not expect a Chelsea youth revival anytime soon—as today's trophies invariably take precedence over tomorrow's development.

*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase.com where not noted.

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