There’s been a lot more focus on our youths this season, maybe as a result of all the talk about our ageing first team, or because our squad has finally reduced in size enough to allow their inclusion or maybe it’s just because they’ve now reached a point where a manager finally has to take notice of them.

Anyway, for whatever reason, we’re hearing a lot more about them, we’ve even seen the odd flash of them in the first team and most of it’s been positive. So shouldn’t we see a bit more?

Take Miroslav Stoch, who’s introduction late on in the game against Stoke definitely had an impact. Not only did his presence stretch the Stoke defence, but he played a major part in the lead up to our winner. Of course, he’s only 19 and we need to introduce him carefully – but the fact is, we do need to introduce him.

Likewise, Franco Di Santo (19), who looked really good pre-season alongside Nicolas Anelka, even with Didier Drogba either injured or simply not performing has been given no really opportunity so far. These are players with a hunger to play, with the enthusiasm that some of the senior players have lacked this season and they should be our stars of the future. But in order to make the transition from good young players into great players, they need more exposure – at Chelsea.

The temptation to loan out our young players to make sure they’re getting regular games is all well and good, but why let others benefit when we could benefit ourselves?

Michael Mancienne (21) was recalled from a successful loan spell just to get a few appearances on our bench. Has Alex’s form really been good enough to deny Mancienne a shot alongside either Terry or Carvalho? I hardly think so.

And this is what really bugs me. With neither Alex nor Drogba putting in anything that constitutes effort and Joe Cole out long-term, what is it that’s stopping Scolari from giving Mancienne, Di Santo and Stoch more of an opportunity? Let’s face it, we won’t be challenging for the title this season – certainly not with ‘performances’ like yesterday’s, our players indeed look old, tired and all out of ideas, as predicted in the summer, so surely now is the time to do it?

That’s not all though, because we’ve got a bit more talent hidden away. For a start we’ve got Slobodan Rajkovic (19) currently on loan at Twente. He should be brought back in the summer. And we need to stop sending these players out on loan. Gael Kakuta (17), for example, probably one of the most promising young players Chelsea have seen in a long time, is rumoured to be attracting attention but it’s high time we let them look but not touch.

Scolari’s talked the talk when it comes to giving the youngsters a chance, so isn’t it time he started walking the walk?

Filed under: Rants