Which of Chelsea’s teenage stars is most likely to become a club legend?

Ollie Irish

1st, December 2009

17 Comments

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Gael Kakuta shone when he came off the bench to make his senior Chelsea debut against Wolves the other week. Jon Obi Mikel said recently that Kakuta is the most skilful player at the club – a bold claim but based on Kakuta’s dazzling cameo at Stamford Bridge, you can well believe the Nigerian.

But of all the young talent at Carlo Ancelotti’s disposal, which teenager is most likely to go on to become a Chelsea legend?

The contenders:

Rhys Taylor, goalkeeper (aged 19)
The Welshman, who has been first-choice keeper for Chelsea’s reserves, was capped by Wales Under-21s when he was just 17.

Jan Sebek, goalkeeper (18)
A former Czech junior international goalkeeper, Sebek is already the same height as Petr Cech. May yet replace Cech as Chelsea’s number one No.1.

Jeffrey Bruma, defender (18)
The Dutch centre-back is a natural athlete who regularly trains with Chelsea’s first-team squad.

Patrick van Aanholt, defender (19)
Another Dutch wonder kid, Van Aanholt is a tall and powerful left-back who can also play in the centre of defence. Currently on loan at Coventry City.

Jacob Mellis, midfielder/defender (18)
A regular member of the England Under-19 squad, Mellis is a versatile midfielder with excellent ball control and an eye for goal. He’s currently on loan at Southampton.

Jacopo Sala, midfielder (17)
Right-sided midfielder, Italian, very composed on the ball and has good set-piece delivery. Has played for Italy’s Under-19s.

Michael Woods, midfielder (19)
Dynamic midfielder in the Alan Ball/Paul Scholes mould, i.e. he’s also ginger. Woods is no shortarse though – he’s a six-footer, which is the way Chelsea like ’em. His development has been hampered by a niggly knee injury though.

Gael Kakuta, forward (18)
Chelsea got in hot water for ‘inducing’ Kakuta to leave RC Lens, but looking at how good he was in his cameo against Wolves, it was worth it for the Blues. Kakuta is nimble, athletic, very confident and incredibly skilful. A natural talent if ever I’ve seen one.

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Fabio Borini, forward (18)
This quick-footed striker, born in Italy, was top scorer for the reserves last season. Like Kakuta, he came off the bench against Wolves this season (see photo, above).

Who gets your vote?

MORE
Which of Arsenal’s teenage stars is most likely to become a club legend?

Fletch says:

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“Whichever one of these soft London shites wants a piece, they know where I am. We’re talking 90 minutes of sheer hell, maybe more. That’s what’s going to happen…”

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17 Comments

  1. Muffinz says:

    Kakuta’s debut was at Stamford Bridge not Molineux. Just letting ya know.

  2. Bob says:

    You forgot Stoch, phenomenal for his age and is doing extremely well at Twente.

  3. Ollie says:

    @ Bob – Stoch is no longer a teenager so doesn’t qualify here. Cheers, Ollie.

  4. Waldorf says:

    What happened to Jack Cork? Making a bigger impression at Coventry than P.v.Aanholt

  5. Dasher says:

    WTF! Sry but what about Sinclair?

  6. Dan says:

    “Chelsea got in hot water for ‘inducing’ Kakuta to leave RC Lens, but looking at how good he was in his cameo against Wolves, it was worth it for the Blues”

    Doesn’t that comment show how ineffective the punishments for breaking FIFA’s laws are?

  7. Anton says:

    I must admit he is doing fine in the Dutch Eredivisie but Stoch does not have enough body to perform in the Premier League.
    I saw Bruma playing for Holland under -21 and he was playing very maturely. He is exceptional.
    Bruma has my vote.

  8. mick mchugh says:

    you forgot the irish kid conor clifford

  9. Ollie says:

    @ Waldorf & Dasher – Cork & Sinclair don’t qualify – no longer in their teens.

    @ Mick – I’m aware of Clifford but he didn’t make the shortlist.

  10. Alex says:

    wheres sturridge? You paid enough for him!!

  11. Fraze says:

    Ryan Bertrand should be included on this list.

  12. […] Chelsea’s new breed A short piece from the ridiculously named WhoAteAllThePies now. With Chelsea probably restricted to January for their transfer activity, and Ancelotti reiterating his satisfaction with his current squad, which of the club’s youngsters will step up to the mark when the African contingency leave for acasual midseason international tournament? Find out here. […]

  13. that was rather amusing says:

    i didn’t realise chelsea had a youth system.

  14. sairam says:

    I think they’re finally getting the chance they deserve under ancelloti!!!! Kakuta seems the most promising from what i have seen and heard!! Stoch also seems to be in good form on loan!

  15. Chris Candy says:

    What about our good english talent……..we sent out on loan to make way for Arnesen’s foreign imports to make him look good

    Mancienne – U21 Player – Has lots appearances under belt
    Sinclair – Trying to establish in Prem
    Bertrand – only age 20 & U21 Player & Played 120 1st team games
    Cork – U21 Player age 20 & played over 100 1st team games

    Clubs a joke….good english talent going to waste so Arnesen can be seen as a hero…….

  16. JC says:

    Bruma, He is 18 years old but is so good. He made is debut for The Netherlands last month. He becames a legend.

  17. me says:

    we have mceachran plus kalas now as well. its hard to say who will make and who wont. I thought stoch, sinclair or even (forgot his name do’h) he ot sold anyway. usually see someone n think they have a chance and it doesnt happen. pva, bruma and kakuta are good players though so will become good players definitely.

    alex, we didnt really pay that much at all for a young english player!

    chris candy, if they were good enough they would get a chance. mancienne went to wolves and ended up moving position and wasnt great plus he wasnt willing to be 4th choice and no way are terry alex or ivanovic going to be placed behind him. he’s on loan again and still doesnt look great. sinclair is also away and not even to a premiership club. the other 2 arent as good as the names mentioned.

    mceachran, kakuta, pva and bruma all look natural gifted pros at a young age and will hopefully realise the position they are in and need to bide their time. sebek i really hope to fullfill his promise as a good young backup keeper is priceless. kakuta would win this vote though?

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