The global financial crisis has left a lot of victims in its wake. Banks have been bailed out, jobs have been lost, and revered financial institutions such as Lehman Brothers have gone under. Even Roman Abramovich has been feeling the pinch. The Russian oligarch has seen his fortune dwindle as the Russian stock market has taken a battering.
Chelsea are also feeling the effects. Peter Kenyon and Bruce Buck have been talking in recent weeks of how the downturn will affect the club. The message is that cuts and sacrifices will have to be made to ensure that the club emerges from this economic peril in a stable position.
At the start of the month, Chelsea announced that a number of scouts would be released and the club would focus its attention on a few key areas, rather than the pre-existing wider approach.
Speaking at the International Football Arena symposium at FIFA House in Zurich yesterday, Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon outlined ways in which the West London club would cope with the effects of the financial crisis.
"The financial crisis has affected everybody who has shares, property or a pension, nobody has been immune, and neither is football.
"There is less money than before. We are keeping a close eye on our costs and reining back in other areas to put the business in better shape."
"Realigning the scouting system was about looking at where we want to be," he said.
"We've made a commitment to having the core of our team English; we are developing our youth.
"The rules from Uefa on home-grown players and Fifa's proposal for 6+5 puts a real onus on clubs to develop their own talent much more fully. With that comes a lot of benefits, and so we looked at our scouting programme to be more focused."
Kenyon also suggested that Luiz Felipe Scolari will have to sell before he can buy anyone in the January transfer window.
“I have said before it is extremely unlikely we will spend in January and increase our squad. Felipe is on board with that,” Kenyon said.
“He has an excellent squad and he is doing a great job. We would have to sell someone if we decided to bring someone in to balance that situation, but at this stage we are not planning to bring anyone in.”
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about 1 month ago
In England, only Arsenal and to a certain extent, Man Utd give a chance to their youngsters in any competition.. Chelsea, as you've pointed out, haven't managed to do so - I don't know why - there are quite a lot of youngsters at the club like Di Santo - but in all fairness to Scolari, he is starting to give the guys a chance... they might end up having a handful of games come the end of the season.
from about 1 month ago
He is gradually giving them a chance, I just find it annoying when he doesnt bring them on when we're cruising in games.
Thanks for the comment Shyam.
about 1 month ago
After just watching Arsenal's kids destroy Wigan, I am left less convinced about ours to be honest! You make a good point about Scolari and now that it looks like Ballack, the Coles, Carvalho and Drogba are all returning very soon, seems less likely the youngsters will get a look in any time soon.
from about 1 month ago
Arsenal's kids do seem good, but in my opinion I think people get a bit carried away with them. I've been hearing the plaudits surrouding Wenger's next batch of kids for years but they haven't really progressed into the first team and the club hasn't won a trophy since 2005.
I'm sure if Scolari were to field a side of youngsters they'd do pretty well. One of the features of Chelsea youth's run to the FAYC Final last season was their attacking football; it was a joy to watch at times.
Thanks for commenting Emma.
about 1 month ago
I don't believe Kenyon, but we'll see...We do need to get some younger players more games or minutes though.
from about 1 month ago
I find it hard to trust him as well, but like you said we'll just have to wait and see. Thanks for commenting Marcus.
about 1 month ago
I'd love to see more youngsters prospering and coming through the ranks at Chelsea but I just don't see it happening right now with the current policy. Young players need to play in order to prove themselves and they aren't getting enough of a chance at Chelsea even though some of them like Sinclair, Sahar, Mancienne and Di Santo are talented enough. The loan spells are helping though and Scolari has said he'd try to blood some more youngsters. Good article Alan.
from about 1 month ago
Thanks Amin. Hopefully tonight he'll give some youngsters some playing time.
about 1 month ago
At least they are getting a chance. I'd give anything to be excited about a set of young players coming through the ranks at our club like Arsenal are having right now.
from about 1 month ago
If Scolari were to give our youngsters a chance in the Carling Cup like Wenger does then I'm pretty sure there would be a few players to get excited about; Kakuta and Stoch being two examples.
Thanks for commeting Brandon.
about 1 month ago
i think if a coach has to give the youth chances to play, it's about developing a good youth system rather than about the coach's strategy, mentality.
Establishing such a strong base for the academy once again needs time because after Abramovich bought the club, no players were granted their chance which is just normal. When Mourinho had Drogba, Gudjohnsen, Kezman.. etc. why would he give anyone a chance? Established or bought players are better.
There are some good players among the youth players Im sure, but I dont expect someone to pop out of the reserve team into the first team and get in the starting line-up soon. Chelsea needs time to change its overall strategy and change its mentality from over-spenders to a club that depends on its youth. It needs some time. that is if it really happens.
Good read as always.
from about 1 month ago
Thanks Zahi, and thanks for commenting.
about 1 month ago
As an Arsenal fan I have no quibbles with the way Wenger uses the Carling Cup and I think Chelsea could use it too. I don't think it disrespects the cup, if the opposition is better like Spurs last year then the team are knocked out - besides it is not exactly the FA Cup.
Playing the youngster gives Wenger the chance to have a look at youngsters and of the current crop I would reckon Fabianski, Gibbs, Wilshere, Randall and Vela have a great chance of coming through. While a majority may have not made it into the main Arsenal squad over the years they have gone on to other clubs - so the players learn and Arsenal may make some money.
Another thing as an Arsenal fan personally the Carling Cup would mean little enough if the first team won it as I'd expect them to be winning bigger trophies but if the "kids" win it it gives Arsenal hope for the future and also vindicates Wenger's philosophy. It also gives the first team a time to rest and make sure they don't pick up unwarranted injuries - imagine if Deco gets injured tonight??
I think you may feel the same if Chelsea did it and seems to be what you are arguing for.
(sorry for going on a bit :-) )
from about 1 month ago
I would like us to use the Carling Cup like Wenger uses it but I just can't see it happening at the moment. Thanks for commenting Maire.
about 1 month ago
great write up mate, quality stuff and interesting too.
from about 1 month ago
Thanks illya.
After tonight's result it looks like we wont be seeing much of Chelsea's youngsters this season!
about 1 month ago
good article alan.
I find the whole youth system debate really interesting, especially concerning Chelsea. Everyone raves about Arsenal's youngsters, and yes they have been impressive, but when our youth played them last month we won 3-2 and played them off the park.
Mourinho never gave youth a chance, and by the looks of it Scolari won't either, despite what he says. Last night was a fringe team, not a younger side. Kalou was the youngest player, at 23.
In my opinion an Arsenal style youth team would've done the job last night, the regulars are never going to fancy Burnley on a cold Wednesday night, but players like Sinclair, Stoch and even Kakuta would've relished the chance to prove themselves in front of the Stamford Bridge faithful.
...but I'd still rather win the Premier League through buying players rather than finishing 4th with a home-grown team :)
from about 1 month ago
Thanks Martin. We do have some good youngsters it just seems our policy is different to Arsenal's. And I agree with you on your last point. Give me success any day.
about 1 month ago
Chelsea's just can't do the youth thing like Arsenal and Man Utd. They should stop trying to fit the mould.
from about 1 month ago
I think we could, it's just our manager's choose not to. Wenger and Ferguson have been at their respective clubs for years, Scolari hasn't. Also, as I mentioned in my article, our youth facilities were very poor for a number of years, and it will take time for the substantial investment to bear fruit and to start to show some results.
I think we could do the same as Arsenal, but maybe not with the same results.
Thanks for commenting Ricky.
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