Chelsea have spent big but they’ve bought young… Trouble is, these kids have to start winning straight away, writes ADRIAN KAJUMBA
- Chelsea have waved goodbye to 10 first-team players aged over 26 this summer
- There is sense of energy that stems from incoming boss Mauricio Pochettino
- WATCH: ‘It’s All Kicking Off’ – Episode 2 – Mail Sport’s brand new football show
There was a freshness and energy in the Chelsea camp coming into the new season following their summer influx of youthful arrivals.
At the same time, though, there was also a caution behind the scenes, an intrigued apprehension about exactly what is possible this season.
That’s the thing about young players, who this version of Chelsea are boldly putting their faith in.
They come with a carefree exuberance that can change the mood and lift the sort of gloom that hung over the Stamford Bridge club after their last season to forget.
That sense of new energy, has been further fuelled by the arrival of Mauricio Pochettino, the personable and charismatic head coach whose coaching and staff have been described as ‘top’ by certain members of his squad.
New manager Mauricio Pochettino has brought a fresh energy to Chelsea despite unconvincing early results
The Blues have taken one point from their first two games and lost 3-1 to West Ham in their last outing
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Their welcoming and engaging approach has been appreciated and contributed to an improved vibe around the camp.
The amount of individual time Pochettino and his coaches have given has also been noted and received as a welcome bonus, especially by some younger players.
But there is also an unpredictability and inexperience that comes with youth hence the uncertainty about whether they can meet the demands, as Pochettino has reiterated, that Chelsea have to win and now.
During another summer of Chelsea churn, they said farewell to 10 players from last season’s squad aged 26 and over plus the younger quartet of Mason Mount, Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic and Joao Felix who are not exactly short of know-how.
But they have not bought in a single player from the same category with 25 year-old trio Robert Sanchez, Christopher Nkunku, Axel Disasi their most senior arrivals.
Striker Deivid Washington, whose signing was confirmed yesterday, and goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, who is expected to follow, continue the theme.
Their squad at West Ham last Sunday contained just three players over-26 – Thiago Silva, Ben Chilwell and Raheem Sterling.
Chelsea had the second youngest starting XI on match day two of the new season behind Arsenal and overall have had the fourth youngest average age so far.
Their two displays so far have highlighted the upside of Chelsea’s plan but also areas of concern.
Marco Gusto (left) and Nicolas Jackson (right) are among a host of young faces looking to make an impact at Stamford Bridge
There has certainly been a new look and feel to Chelsea – much-needed after last season – who dominated against both Liverpool and West Ham.
But there has also been a lack of cold ruthlessness at both ends that has led to costly mistakes and left them with just one point.
‘There are many positive things [about Chelsea’s approach],’ Pochettino insisted. ‘But another thing is we need to give time for them to perform.
‘Today we have a good balance because even the younger ones have experience like Enzo Fernandez, a World Cup champion, but of course the Premier League is different.’
Pochettino highlighting the Premier League factor was notable with Arsenal, title challengers against the odds, last season a natural comparison.
Arsenal’s players for their second game of last season had over 400 more Premier League appearances between them compared to Pochettino’s squad at West Ham last week.
Whether it is in England’s top flight or just generally Pochettino accepts there are times when more nous will be needed.
He said: ‘The first step is to play well or to buy the idea of the philosophy but the second step is the most difficult thing, playing well and competing at the same time.
‘This is another football. Set pieces or things like this. In that football you need some experienced players but I think we have a good balance and it’s only about improving this and for sure we are going to improve in this way.
‘I think we can [win now]. I really believe in the squad and the quality of the squad and now it is only the process and we need to wait [for] the process.
Moises Caicedo and Robert Sanchez have both arrived from Brighton with high expectations on their shoulders
‘We are in a good way, only of course, if today we had four or six points [it would] help to be positive but we need to be positive because it’s the beginning.
‘We are going to win games and, yes, no doubt the quality is there, it’s only a matter of time.’
After highlighting summer signings such as Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, Disasi and Sanchez, Pochettino added: ‘If we see the projection of these players, we expect the best from them, we should win every single game.
‘The way we are playing and the platform of the team gives us the opinion we are in a good way. It is only a matter of time until we put it altogether.’
Friday against Luton the pressure will be on and victory now is Chelsea’s only option.
It is a meeting between giants and minnows that brought back memories for Pochettino of his first ever managerial victory at the Nou Camp in February 2009.
He said: ‘I was taking with Roberto De Zerbi in pre-season – he’s a good friend – and I said to him: ‘I was at Southampton, at Espanyol and sometimes we face Real Madrid and it happened the same.
‘It’s the beauty of football. With Espanyol, we beat the dream team of Barcelona with Guardiola, with Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol and Co. Maybe it is similar: Luton and Chelsea compared to Espanyol and Barcelona. It was the first time a bottom team beat a top team. It was a little bit lucky! A little bit!
‘I was telling the players today in our team meeting that we need to match the desire of the Luton players.
The Blues face newly-promoted Luton at home in their next game on Friday night
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‘If we match all this, their will and everything, afterwards for sure we presume we have better quality and we have to win. But if not and we don’t match them, the game can be crazy.’
Recalling what it took to stun Barca, Pochettino joked: ‘I can’t give the secrets to the Luton coach!’
But he added: ‘We were Espanyol, we said all we are going to do is try to win, don’t care about making mistakes, we need to be brave and everything.
‘Football is about belief, being together, fighting, no matter the quality you have. If you match this, all the qualities, then you win. If you don’t then the game is going to be over.’
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