It’s a drum I will continue to bang. Mix youth with experience, and you are giving yourself a MUCH better chance of success and not having to wait years for it to come.
I believe if Chelsea had done this at the start of their youth project, then we would be playing Champions League football THIS season and reaping all the benefits that come with that.
Youth-led not youth-only. I’m all for it.
Let’s look at Barcelona, who should be the shining example of how to build a successful and balanced squad.
They are currently top of La Liga and into the Champions League quarter finals, and they have a strong and experienced spine to lead them.
The experienced Wojciech Szczęsny at 34-years-old leads from the back in goal, 34-year-old Inigo Martinez controls things at the back alongside the dominant 26-year-old defender Ronald Araujo.
Marc Ter Stegen is the Barcelona captain at the age of 32 but he is currently injured. However, his influence was seen in their Champions League match last night when they beat Benfica.
Raphinha was met with Ter Stegen during the half-time break. With Barca commanding a 3-1 lead, the Brazilian winger met up with the goalkeeper in the tunnel.
Ter Stegen had come down from the VIP box to speak to Raphinha after seeing him score a brace in the first half. It looks like he was offering words of encouragement and praise to the winger, which is fantastic leadership.
They then have 21-year-old Alejandro Balde at left back, with 26-year-old Jules Kounde at right back. Pure balance, pace, power, and leadership all across your defence. Perfect.
In midfield, you have 55 cap Netherlands international Frenkie De Jong at 27-years-old, alongside youngster Pedri at 22-years-old. Ahead of them is 26-year-old Dani Olmo who pulls the creative strings and is at a perfect age to thrive and peak and also has 41 senior caps with Spain.
Either side of them you have Raphinha who is now very experienced at 28-years-old, and then the star man Lamine Yamal on the other wing at just 17-years-old.
And then at the tip of it all completing the solid spine, perhaps THE most important ingredient to this balanced blend of youth and experience, is Robert Lewandowski who at 36-years-old, has seen it all.
The subs bench is also then full of the perfect mix of youth and experience to come on and help win games.
This doesn’t mean they never lose games, or get humbled at times. No team is going to be indispensable. Well, with the exception of a couple in history. But this gives you your very best chance of success.
These are all international players, most of which have heavy influence in their national sides as well, wear captains armbands there, and are very important players.
Having this mix on the pitch during games is something that people take for granted. Having those experienced voices next to your, instructing you, motivating you, is everything for young players.
These are the perfect profiles that give you leadership, youth, pace, energy, and physicality.
Chelsea, take note….
