Chelsea Innovates Football Model with Young Talent Strategy Across Europe

Chelsea is emerging as a major hub for young football talent, exemplified by a recent Champions League match where three teenagers scored for the club, a feat not previously achieved even by Ajax's famed youth teams. The club’s strategy under BlueCo ownership involves long contracts for young players and using sister club Strasbourg as a developmental platform, which is reflected in their youngest squad averages in top European leagues. Despite this, Chelsea's pursuit of former Barcelona striker Vitor Roque has raised concerns due to his previous European struggles and the club's already crowded forward lineup. Meanwhile, Chelsea maintains a complex loan system with 15 players out gaining experience, including promising talents like Paez at Strasbourg, highlighting the club’s multi-club model to develop players. Liverpool, in contrast, is facing defensive challenges but avoided a risky £75 million move for Everton's Jarrod Branthwaite, who is currently injured and thus considered a poor investment. Both clubs are navigating squad building with different approaches to youth and transfer market risks as they prepare for the demanding season ahead.