Appearing on Sky Sports Monday Night Football alongside Frank Lampard this week, Gary Neville offered an insight into what youth players might offer Chelsea Football Club going forward.
Put on the spot about the current academy youth situation, Frank Lampard was quick to offer words of praise for youngsters Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Dom Solanke.
Ruben in a good player. I think he’s got energy, he’s played a couple games that I’ve watched and he’s done well. Solanke is out on loan but he’s going to be a good striker.
However, adding to his earlier comments, Lampard admitted that he wasn’t sure the young players could change Chelsea’s fortunes right now.
I don’t think they’re going to make a huge difference now, but there has to be an intention. It would be nice to see him say next week “Go on Ruben, go out there and show me what you can do.”
Frank Lampard, Source: Sky Sports
Involving himself in the discussion, Gary Neville suggested that players such as Loftus-Cheek could be what the Blues need, both on and off the pitch to lift the spirits.
If you’re talking about changing the philosophy of a club, the stability, bringing through academy players then now is the killer moment. [Sky]
If I’m Roman Abramovich now, am I walking through the door thinking “I need to sack him because he’s losing games, we’re not going to make the top four and he’s giving bad interviews”, or a I thinking “relax… let’s go and bring three or four academy players in – sacrifice a season. Let’s stand behind the manager and change the philosophy of our football club.
Young players do a number of things; one, they invigorate the fans straight away because they are looking after a young kid and it lifts them – 100%. The players who are experienced on the pitch get that greater level of responsibility – i’ve seen it and it’s an incredible thing.
All the things you want to create a spirit in a football club happen when you bring young players through.
Gary Neville, Source: Sky Sports
