Nevin: Gulf between Chelsea youth and first team is too big

Former Chelsea forward Pat Nevin thinks he has an explanation for the “very small hit rate” of youth players becoming first-team regulars at Stamford Bridge.

The likes of Tammy Abraham and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are struggling to get match action for the first team.

Abraham has now been shipped out on loan to Aston Villa, while Loftus-Cheek remains – but is set to be a squad player under Maurizio Sarri, who has a wealth of midfield options.

And Nevin thinks there is too much of a “gulf” between players coming through and those in the Chelsea first team.

“There is a young lad called John McGinn playing now for Aston Villa who was bought from my ‘other’ favourite team, Hibernian, in the summer,” Nevin said on Chelsea’s official website.

“Now he is a good player and will get better because he is young but watching him against Mousa Dembele was painful as the Spurs man swatted his attentions effortlessly time and again.

“The kid didn’t stop trying but the gulf between a keen youngster coming through and a player who can hold down a place in the second best national team in the world was painfully clear to see.

“This is the reason why the long list of youngsters who have come through our Academy have a very small hit rate in terms of becoming regulars at the Bridge.

“There have been plenty of quality players produced but the standard you need to reach our senior side is way, way above mere quality.

“It has to be exceptional, in fact top international class.”