Michael Emenalo Defends Chelsea Youth Academy, Plays Down Tottenham Production

Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo insists there is “great talent” in the Chelsea youth setup and slammed Tottenham Hotspur’s much-vaunted academy for producing only one top-class player in Harry Kane.

The Blues academy has often been criticised, as so few of their young stars have graduated to become first-team regulars in recent years, per ESPN FC’s Liam Twomey.

However, Emenalo is adamant that such a problem is not unique to Chelsea, and he pointed out the deficiencies in Spurs’ system, per the Daily Mail’s Matt Barlow:

In reality it is just the one key player, Harry Kane. 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. So 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.

Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino has been highly praised this season for turning the north London side into title contenders, using a squad that includes numerous young English players.

Kane and Dier, both 22, and Alli, 20, have been first-team stalwarts, but Emenalo is correct in saying …

continue reading in source www.bleacherreport.com