Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo has said he wants to remind Tottenham Hotspur that all the “hoopla” around their youth development is irrelevant as they have only produced one key player.
Emenalo insisted Harry Kane is the only player to have come through Spurs’ ranks and have a major impact, suggesting Chelsea’s problem with bringing through talent is no worse than Tottenham’s.
The Blues’ director said many of Spurs’ emerging stars were actually bought by the club, and they are pushing through some of their younger players too soon.
“In reality it is just the one key player, Harry Kane,” said Emenalo, as reported by the Daily Mail. “Dele Alli they bought, Eric Dier they bought; Tom Carroll is a fringe player. So with all the hoopla about Tottenham, it’s just the one player.
“We try to remind them it’s not just a Chelsea problem. We want them to be patient because they (the parents) want it quicker than the boys want it or the boys are ready to take it.”
Chelsea are in 10th place in the Premier League, 24 points behind Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs, and have little to play for with the Blues out of all other competitions. However, their youth sides have again performed well, having retained the UEFA Youth League earlier this week, and facing Manchester City in the youth FA Cup final.
Since Guus Hiddink’s arrival as interim manager more younger players have been introduced into first-team action, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek now having established himself in the attacking midfield role in recent weeks and Bertrand Traore also receiving more game time.
Spurs’ core of English talent – including Kane, Alli and Dier – have all impressed hugely this season, with Kane and Alli having scored 34 Premier League goals between them.
Pochettino’s side beat Stoke City on Monday night to move to within five points of league leaders Leicester City, and still retain hope of catching the Foxes.
COMMENTS