Chelsea FC: Young Talent Gives Hope to the Blues Starting XI in 2014
It's undeniable that many of Chelsea's major players—Terry, Cole, Lampard, Anelka and Drogba—are on the downhill. They've probably got a few years of premier league level productivity remaining, but it can't be expected to last forever.
The team is aging, but with a few younger acquisitions in the recent transfer windows, the Blues seem to be ready and restocked for the future.
Brazilian sensations Ramires and David Luiz have already made inroads into the hearts of the Chelsea faithful with their pinpoint destruction of Manchester City on March 20th. A few of the youth system players have already made impressions on other teams around the premier league and the championship as well.
Let us not forget that we already have a good deal of young talent that should last for the better part of the this decade. Let's see what the starting eleven could look like in three years if, and it's a big if, Chelsea were completely silent in the transfer market.
Goalkeeper: Petr Cech
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Although Petr Cech has been at Stamford Bridge since 2004, he is still only 28 and seems to have many good years ahead of him. He has not been completely injury-proof, but any sort of significant drop off in form does not seem to be on the horizon for the Czech Republic international.
He is arguably a top 10, if not top five, goalkeeper in the world. Cech won the premier league's Golden Gloves in 2005 and 2010. He was also named the best European keeper in 2005, 2007 and 2008.
His best years may be right now, but there is no reason to think he still won't be one of the best between the pipes in the future.
Right Back: Branislav Ivanovic
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Though his signing from Lokomotiv Moskow in 2008 was slightly under the radar, Branislav Ivanovic's effect on the back four is notable. The Serbian can play anywhere on the back line, but his effectiveness is magnified when he plays a right back where he can maraud forward and cause havoc on set plays.
Ivanovic has netted eight times in 103 appearances for the Blues. Two goals were crucial in taking down Liverpool in the quarterfinals of the 2009 Champions League. In his time at Chelsea, he has done nothing but improve, and at age 27, no great drop off should be expected for the powerful defender.
Centerback: Jeffery Bruma
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He's young and he's the heir apparent to John Terry's center back position. Acquired from Feyenoord at the age of 15, Bruma made his first senior team appearance in 2009. He was gifted his first start in the center defense alongside John Terry on January 2nd, when the Blues' defense was riddled with injuries.
Since the defensive corps recovered from injuries, Bruma was sent on loan to Leicester City through the end of the 2010-2011 season. Though he hasn't put up any stats, he hasn't been mentioned as a faulty defensive player—usually a good thing when discussing defenders.
He appears to be the favorite to take over once the English captain Terry steps aside.
Center Back: David Luiz
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Fernando who?
David Luiz may not have big Chelsea's biggest signing on deadline day, but he's already made the best impression. Two goals in five appearances have seen Luiz already do the double against the Manchester teams. His defense against top strikers is remarkable, and if not for a foolish penalty given against Clint Demsey, it would be easy to deem his Chelsea record as "spotless."
Sideshow Jesus, as he is already affectionately known by some, has already made a huge impact since signing in January. And since he is only 23, he will be employed at Stamford Bridge for the foreseeable future.
Left Back: Patrick Van Aanholt
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Patrick van Aanholt is another Chelsea youth player snatched from the Dutch ranks. Transferred in 2007, the now 20-year-old van Aanholt has eight total caps for the senior team and netted his first goal in the 2010 league cup match against Newcastle.
Loaned to Leicester City in January, he has partnered with Jeffrey Bruma in the Leicester City defense. In six starts, he has defended well and tracked back while delivering a number of excellent crosses. Though he is currently injured, it is not serious and he is expected to return within in a fortnight.
His playing style is very similar to that of Ashley Cole. The left back position is the one that van Aanholt is expected to inhabit after the eventual departure of Cole.
Defensive Midfielder: Jon Obi Mikel
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The defensive midfielder position is not a glamorous position, but Jon Obi Mikel has been brilliant at filling that role. He's already made over 150 total appearances for Chelsea, and he's still only 23. He joined the Chelsea ranks in 2006, where he immediately made an impact taking the holding midfielder role from Claude Makelele. Though he's still yet to score, his ability to defend on the ground and in the air has made him an essential part of the starting XI.
Though his position has be usurped by Michael Essien in recent games, Essien's injury history and age make him a liability down the line. It's most likely that Obi Mikel will be the holding midfielder of the future for Chelsea.
Central Midfielder: Josh McEachran
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The youngest player on the Chelsea squad, Josh McEachran has arguably the biggest upside. He has already been compared to Frank Lampard despite being only 18 years old.
He's been a member of Chelsea's youth system since 2001. He made his first team debut in the Champions League vs MŠK Žilina. He's also been a member of the English U-16, U-17, U-19 and U-21. Given the rash of injuries to English internationals, he could see a national team debut before long.
He's played admirably in the central midfield, drawing rave reviews in limited appearances from manager Carlo Ancellotti.
Lampard has shown a proclivity for injury in recent times, and he is on the wrong side of 30, so McEachran could find himself in the starting XI before long.
Central Midfielder: Ramires
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Though he began his Chelsea career rather slowly, the Benfica transfer has shown his mettle as of late. His brilliant slalom through the Manchester City defense and expert finish past Joe Hart was the perfect example of his wide skill set. He can play box-to-box and slide into an advanced wing position if need be.
His style of play is as refined as any Brazilian, and though small, his pace allows him to outrace defenders for loose balls. Already established in the starting lineup, the 23-year-old looks to be a lock in the Chelsea midfield for years down the road.
Left Wing: Solomon Kalou
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Though he would start on nearly any other top flight team in the world, Solomon Kalou has been forgotten in the transfer fray of Fernando Torres.
But he is still young, and is very skilled.
Most recently against Manchester City, Kalou wreaked havoc in attacking third. His finishing leaves something to be desired, but given his lack of appearances for the Blues, he has still managed to net 51 times in 211 games.
With Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda likely to move on within the next few years, Kalou finds himself in line to land a regular starting spot. Though he has requested, at times, to move to a team where he would get more playing time, remaining at Stamford Bridge would probably boost his career profile in the long run.
Striker: Daniel Sturridge
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Daniel Sturridge was an under-the-radar transfer from Manchester City. His contract expired, and Chelsea was able to snap him up for next to nothing. He has yet to establish himself as a regular, but while on loan at Bolton, he's proved himself to be a top notch striker. He scored the winner in his first ever Bolton appearance, and became only the sixth player to score in his first four games a for a club in the premier league.
He has show himself to be a capable player up front for Chelsea, but seems to be the type of player that needs consistent play time to find a rhythm and partnership with the other forwards. He is markedly better at moving off the ball, showing his potential to replace Drogba or Anelka in the near future.
Many forget he is only 21, and his best years are still ahead of him.
Striker: Fernando Torres
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Certainly the highest-profile player on the list, and the highest-costing player in premier league history.
Torres is yet to open his account with the Blues'.
Don't fret.
Despite his lack of productivity, his talent is still world class. It's difficult to fathom his goal drought lasting much longer, and once he finds a way to hit the back of the net, the pressure would seem to be off him.
His contract with Chelsea will last through the midpoint of the decade, and it's unlikely Chelsea will try to unload him unless his form dips considerably. Best case scenario is that Torres finds his way and leads the Chelsea front line for the remainder of the foreseeable future.
In Conclusion
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If we assume that Chelsea plays a modified 4-3-3 with their personnel, the starting line up in 2014 could look something like this.
GK: Cech
RB: Ivanovic
CB: Bruma
CB: David Luiz
LB: van Aanholt
DM: Obi Mikel
CM: McEachran
CM: Ramires
LW: Kalou
ST: Sturridge
ST: Torres
Not too bad given the players already on hand.
