Chelsea’s all-time home-grown XI: Tambling, Osgood, Terry and more
Jose Mourinho says he is determined to to bring through homegrown talent at Chelsea to succeed John Terry.
"In three or four years' time, if we don't have other Englishmen to replace this nucleus of players - when Lamps is 39, John is 36 - I will be very sad," said Mourinho. "Every club needs that, so we are working on that."
Despite recent perceptions, Chelsea have a fine tradition of bringing through young talent at Stamford Bridge and, as talkSPORT takes look at some of the best all-time homegrown XIs, consisting of players who went through the youth/reserve system to play first team football, the Blues can boast an impressive line-up.
Graceful and agile, Peter 'The Cat' Bonetti is the obvious outstanding choice as homegrown goalkeeper for Chelsea. The England international spent a long and illustrious 15-year spell between the sticks in west London. Only Ron Harris has made more appearances for the Blues.
'Chopper' Harris is a shoo-in for a spot in their homegrown XI's defence. The fearsome centre-back played 795 games for the club and is consider an all-time great for the club. The only current player to make this side is John Terry, a rock at the back and an inspiring captain. He can count Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Europa League and Champions League winners medals among his haul. Full-back Ken Shellito, who saw a knee injury cruelly cut short his career, appears on the right side. While Graeme Le Saux, who won the several trophies with the Blues in two spells, gets the nod on the left.
Chelsea have seen a number of excellent strikers come through their ranks but this means we have to limit their midfield to a three. It doesn't lack in quality though. Terry Venables came through the ranks at Stamford Bridge and after a six-year spell with them went on to win the FA Cup with London rivals Tottenham. He can be ably assisted by John Hollins, an industrious player who made 465 appearances for the club over two spells. Ray Wilkins makes up the central triumvirate. A exceptionally talented midfielder blessed with a fine passing range, he became their youngest ever captain at the age of 18 before playing for Manchester United, AC Milan and Queens Park Rangers, as well as earning 84 England caps.
The Blues' homegrown forwards are certainly impressive and have netted a combined 484 goals in a Chelsea shirt. Bobby Tambling has only just seen his record tally of 202 beaten by Frank Lampard, but will be long remembered for his prowess in front of goal during the 1960s. Peter Osgood, the King of Stamford Bridge, lines up alongside him having been honoured with a statue outside the ground, he scored 150 goals for the club. And legendary striker Jimmy Greaves joins them having hit the back of the net 132 times, and smashed home an incredible 13 hat-tricks, during his four seasons in west London before starring for Tottenham throughout the 1960s.
Chelsea's all-time homegrown XI
See how Chelsea's homegrown XI compares with Arsenal and Tottenham's.
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