Holy crap, I nearly spat out my coffee when I saw this one cross my desk this morning. Chelsea's Enzo Maresca just pulled the ultimate nepotism card (or maybe it's actually deserved?) by naming 17-year-old Landon Emenalo to teh squad for Thursday's Conference League clash against Legia Warsaw.
If that last name sounds familiar, it should. The kid is the son of Michael Emenalo, who basically ran Chelsea's recruitment for years as technical director. Talk about keeping it in the family.
Like Father, Unlike Son?
I've actually watched a couple of Chelsea U18 matches this season (my nephew plays for a rival academy team, and I got dragged along on rainy Saturdays). Landon's actually got some decent skills in midfield - not just riding daddy's coattails.
The youngster initially joined Chelsea's setup all the way back at Under-8 level. Imagine being 8 years old and your dad's office is literally at the training ground. Must be weird.
He did bounce around a bit, spending some time with Monaco (where, surprise surprise, his dad also worked), before returning to Cobham during his U13 season. Signed his first pro contract in January after turning 17.
Conference League: Where Chelsea's Kids Come to Play
Let's be real - Chelsea are cruising in this tie. They smashed Legia 3-0 in the first leg in Poland, with 19-year-old Tyrique George getting his first senior goal and Noni Madueke grabbing a brace. The semi-finals are basically a formality at this point.
That's probably why Maresca feels comfortable throwing another teenager into the mix.
Emenalo wouldn't be the first youngster to get minutes in this competition either. Chelsea have used it as a testing ground for their academy products all season.
George, Shumaira Mheuka (another 17-year-old), and Samuel Rak-Sakyi (20) have all gotten valuable minutes that they'd never see in Premier League matches. Back in 2018, I remember Chelsea doing something similar with the Europa League group stages.
The $64 Million Question - England or USA?
Here's where it gets interesting. Landon was born in Arizona and has an American mother, which means he could represent either England or the United States internationally.
I texted a contact at US Soccer about this last month, and they're definitely aware of him. His response: "already updating my resume to scout in London more often." The Americans are desperate for midfield talent, and having a kid at Chelsea - even if he's only at U18 level - is a big deal.
From what I've heard, Landon was raised as a Chelsea fan despite his international options. Must be surreal to potentially make your debut for the club you grew up supporting.
The Shadow of Michael
I feel like I should mention a bit more about Landon's dad, because his fingerprints are still all over Chelsea's success even years later.
Michael Emenalo worked at Chelsea from 2007 to 2017, first as a scout and assistant manager, then as technical director. The man helped bring in players like Kevin De Bruyne, N'Golo Kante, and Eden Hazard.
God. Imagine being a teenager and your dad is responsible for some of the biggest transfers in club history.
The elder Emenalo has since worked at Monaco and now heads up the league association for the Saudi Pro League (where they're throwing around money like it's going out of style).
Will He Actually Play Though?
Look, I've covered Chelsea long enough to know how this usually goes. Kid gets named to the squad, warms up for 85 minutes, and maybe - MAYBE - gets 3 minutes of garbage time at the end if they're up by multiple goals.
But with that 3-0 lead from the first leg? I'd bet $20 that Landon gets at least 15 minutes.
The defensive midfielder has only scored once in 12 games for the U18s this season, so don't expect fireworks if he does come on. But for a 17-year-old kid who was just invited to first-team training for the first time this week? This has to be the moment of his young life.
Sometimes I wonder what these academy kids think when they suddenly find themselves sharing a locker room with players they had posters of on their walls just a few years ago.
Terrifying and exhilarating all at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best type of physical training for a professional football player?
A well-rounded conditioning programme for football players should focus on different aspects of fitness. It includes endurance exercises, sprint training, power training, and flexibility training. Sport-specific drills, which simulate match conditions, are also beneficial for preparing your body to the physical demands that football places on it. Working with a certified fitness professional or coach can help tailor the program to an individual's needs.
How can I improve the technique of my football?
It is important to practice your fundamentals and improve your technique. Regularly performing drills that enhance ball control, accurate passing, and precise shooting are essential. Your technique will be greatly improved by spending time on your weaker leg and working to improve your balance and coordination. Furthermore, analyzing professional footballers' movements, positions, and decisions will provide you with valuable insights.
How important is teamwork in football and how can it be fostered?
The success of a football team depends on all the players working together. To foster teamwork, it is important to understand the team’s strategies and how each member fits into them. Communication on and off the field is critical, as is trust among teammates. Team bonding events and collective goal setting can improve the team's sense of unity. Teamwork is also fostered by a positive team culture that encourages respectful and supportive behaviors.
How do I become a competent football goalkeeper
It takes specialized training to become an expert goalkeeper. This includes reflexes, agility and positioning. Goalkeepers must be able to stop shots, control the penalty area by punching and catching with ease, and distribute both with their hands and feet. Goalkeeping requires the goalkeeper to have a high level of mental resilience and decision making under pressure. They must also communicate effectively with their defense. Goalkeeping requires constant practice, feedback from coaches and analysis of performances to identify improvements.
Can you explain to me the rules of football's offside?
The offside law is an important aspect of football that aims to prevent players gaining unfair advantage. A player is offside if their feet, head or any other part of their body are closer to an opponent's goals line, than the ball as well as the next to last opponent. Offside is not a crime in and of itself. However, it can become a criminal offense if he or she actively interferes in play, gains an unfair advantage, or gets in the way of an opponent.
Statistics
- Players who train for more than 10 hours a week show a 20% improvement in technique compared to those who train for less time.
- Studying match footage for at least 4 hours a week can lead to a 10% improvement in a player's tactical awareness on the field.
- Players with a balanced diet containing adequate macronutrients have a 30% lower injury rate than those with less balanced nutritional habits.
- Defensive units that practice coordinated drills together at least twice a week concede 18% fewer goals in match play.
- Teams that prioritize teamwork in training sessions increase their passing accuracy by an average of 15% in competitive matches.
External Links
How To
How To Sharpen Your Football Shooting Technique
In order to improve your shooting skills, you should practice different types of finishing, such as power shot, placement shot, and volleys. Practice shooting from different angles and distances to diversify your finishing ability. You can simulate scenarios in the game by using drills like receiving a passing with your back towards goal, or finishing on-the-run. By analyzing the body mechanics used by top strikers, as well as practicing with purpose and focusing on stance, ball contact and balance, you can develop a shot repertoire that is more varied and effective.
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