Chelsea: Pochettino keen to utilise ‘best academy in England’

Mauricio Pochettino has said the Chelsea academy is ‘one of the best in England if not the world’ and is keen for the club to continue developing talent for the first team.

Pochettino has been inviting the top talent from the club’s academy to train with Chelsea’s senior side as he looks to integrate homegrown options into the squad.

Alfie Gilchrist has broken into the first-team fold this season and was rewarded with a new long-term deal earlier this month, while Conor Gallagher and Levi Colwill are now established members of Pochettino’s squad.

Pochettino is keen for the club to continue developing talent within their system and has said Chelsea must make the most of one of world football’s best youth set-ups.

“Coaching staff are working close to the academy, we invite young players every week to train with us, it’s a great opportunity for them to train with us,” he said at his pre-match press conference ahead of facing Everton in the Premier League on Monday night.

“Chelsea have one of the best academies in England if not the world. It’s our responsibility to take care of these guys and pay attention to them.

“They will have the opportunity to play on the squad one day, they just need to keep training, being consistent.

“We can see their evolution from them competing with senior players.”

Chelsea have been beset by injuries this season and could be without Enzo Fernandez, Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi for Monday’s clash at Stamford Bridge.

Pochettino said it is not ‘fair’ to judge his squad on the current campaign given their high number of absences.

“It should be fair for us to have a fit squad. We can’t prove that we are a good squad and that we can compete for big things.

“It’s very tough when you don’t have the squad fit. We want to increase the competition between them, but that’s not an excuse.”

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