3 Youngsters Jose Mourinho Should Consider to Shake Things Up at Chelsea
Chelsea are in perilous waters. England's defending champions are on the verge of sinking, and Jose Mourinho has surely employed an aptly timed international break to mend whatever damages.
The likes of Branislav Ivanovic, Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard have struggled mightily to get their respective campaigns going, and the Blues' meager point total confirms their despondence.
No doubt studying in his Cobham Training Centre office, the Portuguese manager—ahead of an increasingly vital clash with Aston Villa—must be thinking about change.
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One of the most popular demands Chelsea supporters have is giving youth a chance.
The west Londoners seem to have a distinct lack of effort. Whether fitness, form or Golden Badge Syndrome, many of the Blues' first-team options are lacklustre. The logic goes inserting players with something to prove will create a renewed sense of desire.
Mourinho is notorious for having faith in his senior players, but Chelsea have numerous under-21 footballers who only need an opportunity. There are more than three deserving candidates, but the following trio certainly stand out as possible game changers for the stuttering holders.
Abdul Rahman Baba, 21
The deterioration of Ivanovic has been stark. Chelsea had the best right-back in England last season if the PFA Team of the Year is any indication, but the 31-year-old has shown nothing of 2014/15's form, yet maintains a spot in Mourinho's starting XI.
Of the 720 Premier League minutes available to all footballers, only two Blues have played every minute—one being Hazard, with Ivanovic the other. If winning ways are to be redressed, that might need to change, especially considering Chelsea have conceded 15 EPL goals in eight matches.
Cesar Azpilicueta could easily switch to his natural side with Baba Rahman's inclusion at left-back.
The young Ghana international is quick, aggressive and played well in his first start vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Champions League.
With Ivanovic likely to miss time after suffering a hamstring setback with Serbia, Mourinho may be forced to change his defensive four, but the 21-year-old should benefit his side.
Bertrand Traore, 20
Chelsea have six usual options in attacking midfield: Hazard, Oscar, Willian, Pedro, Kenedy and Bertrand Traore being the primary list.
Maybe if he went by the name Bertrand he would stand a better chance of seeing the pitch, but Traore is currently at the bottom of Mourinho's pecking order.
Of the six, however, the 20-year-old is the most natural goalscorer—in other words he is the most greedy.
Likely viewed as a wide forward rather than a traditional winger, in Chelsea's eyes, the Burkina Faso prodigy tied for ninth last season on the Eredivisie scoring charts, netting 13 goals as a teenager while on loan to Vitesse Arnhem.
Used as a striker, but equally comfortable on the touchline, Traore showed his considerable eye for goal.
Considering the Blues' leaky defence, they need players willing to shoot on sight. Often it seems Chelsea want to walk the ball into goal, but no opposition is ever so obliging; one needs a player with a certain level of arrogance to attempt different things, and Traore appears a willing locksmith.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek, 19
Placing the burden of Frank Lampard on any youngster is equal parts unwarranted, blasphemous and pathetic. Lampard, in 648 Chelsea appearances, scored 211 goals and was a driving force behind the club's most decorated period. Ruben Loftus-Cheek would have a great career with one-third of the former England captain's decorations.
That said, Mourinho's midfield is missing something it has lacked since Lampard's departure: An intelligent runner.
Fabregas cannot be confused for an athlete. The Spaniard is a thinker and one of the world's foremost playmakers, but through his struggles, holes are gaping. This leaves Nemanja Matic like a headless chicken, aimlessly running, attempting to smother fires.
Loftus-Cheek gives Mourinho a true box-to-box presence. One who can defend, attack and has the technical/cognitive ability to connect play. Moreover, the young Englishman has been with Chelsea since the age of eight and would give supporters clamouring for truly homegrown talent a glimpse of what their future holds.
In many respects, both the squad and Chelsea Football Club could do with Loftus-Cheek's unique combination of characteristics.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase where not noted.
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