Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo says he does not understand the fuss over Tottenham's youth policy.
Emenalo insists he is baffled by the praise heaped on Spurs, as he believes only Harry Kane has made any impression at first-team level.
The 50-year-old is adamant Chelsea have a better academy system, and Tottenham have relied on signing young prospects like Dele Alli and Eric Dier.
Emenalo insists he is baffled by the praise heaped on Spurs, as he believes only Harry Kane has made any impression at first-team level.
The 50-year-old is adamant Chelsea have a better academy system, and Tottenham have relied on signing young prospects like Dele Alli and Eric Dier.
Emenalo was responding to criticism of Chelsea's academy policy, despite the fact the club have just retained the UEFA Youth League.
And on Friday night Chelsea play Manchester City in the first-leg of the FA Youth Cup, which they are defending for the fourth time.
And on Friday night Chelsea play Manchester City in the first-leg of the FA Youth Cup, which they are defending for the fourth time.
But Emenalo believes the comparison with Tottenham is not based on reality, and that youngsters are given as much of an opportunity at Stamford Bridge when they are good enough to progress.
Emenalo said: "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 (the parents) want it quicker than the boys want it or the boys are ready to take it."
Two players who have stepped up to the Blues first-team this season have been Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Bertrand Traore, while Todd Kane is expected to make the breakthrough next season following a successful loan with NEC Nijmegen.
Emenalo also has high hopes for Andreas Christensen, Tammy Abraham, Jake Clarke-Salter and Fikayo Tomori becoming first-team regulars at Chelsea.
"Christensen will be a superb player," Emenalo said. "I see on a regular basis that Jake Clarke-Salter and Fikayo Tomori are going to be outstanding players.
Two players who have stepped up to the Blues first-team this season have been Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Bertrand Traore, while Todd Kane is expected to make the breakthrough next season following a successful loan with NEC Nijmegen.
Emenalo also has high hopes for Andreas Christensen, Tammy Abraham, Jake Clarke-Salter and Fikayo Tomori becoming first-team regulars at Chelsea.
"Christensen will be a superb player," Emenalo said. "I see on a regular basis that Jake Clarke-Salter and Fikayo Tomori are going to be outstanding players.
"They are young and I don't know if they decide to get fat. There's nothing I can do about that. If they continue the way they are, they will make it because they have great talent, there's no doubt about that.
"There is a coordinated effort from everybody to want to make this happen. Not just because it feels good, and it is nice to have a backbone the fans can relate to and support.
"But with the investment we are making and where we think the game is going and the competition that we have, you can't just buy your way out of trouble all the time.
"We have a philosophy in the academy to teach them to play the right way, the way we think a big team should play. And ultimately the only way they can play that gives them a chance to play for our first-team.
"There is a coordinated effort from everybody to want to make this happen. Not just because it feels good, and it is nice to have a backbone the fans can relate to and support.
"But with the investment we are making and where we think the game is going and the competition that we have, you can't just buy your way out of trouble all the time.
"We have a philosophy in the academy to teach them to play the right way, the way we think a big team should play. And ultimately the only way they can play that gives them a chance to play for our first-team.
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