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<p>At just 28 years old, Tosin is Chelsea's most experienced player this season.</p>
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<img alt="Why Chelsea needs more experience to compete" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/galerie/chelsea-spotlight-1768307973-187075.png" title="Why Chelsea needs more experience to compete">
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<p>Former Liverpool defender and pundit Alan Hansen famously stated, “You can’t win anything with kids.” While many believed that saying would haunt him after Sir Alex Ferguson’s youth-led Manchester United squad, known as the ‘Class of 92’, triumphed in the league, there’s truth to Hansen’s insight. In that successful 1995/96 team, they still had seasoned players like 32-year-old Peter Schmeichel, 35-year-old Steve Bruce, and 30-year-old Éric Cantona anchoring the lineup. Chelsea currently lacks this kind of experience.</p>
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<img alt="Oldest players in Premier League this season" height="629" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/newsansicht/oldest-players-pl-clubs-this-season-1768224815-186991.png?lm=1768224949" width="503">
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<p>The Blues are filled with promising young talent and have introduced another young manager in Liam Rosenior. As shown in the graphic above, Chelsea's oldest player this season is center-back Tosin Adarabioyo, who has recently turned 28. This makes him the youngest "oldest" player across all Premier League clubs this season, with Manchester City’s John Stones being the next oldest at 31. While Chelsea’s youthful squad has tasted success, winning the Europa Conference League and the Club World Cup last season, their squad’s market value was €900 million above any other team in the Conference League, casting doubts on the significance of their achievements, especially in light of the newly formatted Club World Cup played under challenging conditions. Chelsea is undeniably talented, but the absence of experience and leadership might hinder their chances of winning the Premier League.</p>
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<h2>Why Chelsea Needs More Experience</h2>
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<p>On their best days, this youthful Chelsea side can challenge any opponent, as evidenced by their impressive draw against league leaders Arsenal, even while playing with 10 men, and their 3-0 victory over Barcelona in the Champions League. Yet, in pressure situations, young players thrive when they can rely on composed, experienced leaders, rather than fellow youngsters. Leaders like Virgil van Dijk, John Terry, or Arsenal's Gabriel can provide the necessary support and wisdom in crucial moments.</p>
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<img alt="Chelsea's oldest players this season" height="629" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/newsansicht/oldest-chelsea-players-this-season-1768226945-187001.png?lm=1768226951" width="503">
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<p>If we look at Chelsea's top ten oldest players this season, the list includes Enzo Fernández, Benoît Badiashile, and João Pedro, all aged 24. Fernández, despite being relatively young, has shown leadership qualities and has the experience of being a World Cup winner with Argentina. Nonetheless, he and the other young players would undoubtedly benefit from more seasoned leaders to rely on during difficult moments.</p>
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<p>Reece James, at 26, serves as the club captain and has had a standout season, but many feel that he isn’t a natural leader. His exemplary performance on the pitch is commendable, but he tends to be quieter and introspective. Former manager Maresca remarked that he needed to step up in terms of leadership. Experienced players can also instill cultural standards within the team. At times, it appears some younger Chelsea players prioritize their personal advancement over the collective goals of the team, striving for their next career move. For instance, last season, Nicolas Jackson, Cole Palmer, and Noni Madueke confronted each other over a penalty kick, while this season Chelsea has already accumulated seven red cards across competitions, revealing a lack of accountability. The addition of a couple of experienced leaders with strong attitudes could significantly bolster the team’s foundation and enhance their competitive edge. However, it seems the Chelsea management might be more focused on financial metrics than on building a team capable of contending for the Premier League title.</p>
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<h2>Why You Can't Win the Premier League Without Experience</h2>
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<p>A review of the Premier League since its 1992/93 inception shows that no title-winning team has ever succeeded without fielding at least one player aged 32 or older. The oldest players from the past 20 champions include Chelsea's 36-year-old John Terry in 2016/17, Manchester City's 37-year-old Fernandinho in 2021/22, and even Liverpool's 33-year-old van Dijk last season. Their contributions were crucial to their teams' successes.</p>
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<img alt="Experience in winning teams" height="629" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/newsansicht/you-cant-win-anything-with-kids-1768226984-187002.png?lm=1768226990" width="503">
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<p>Some believe Chelsea is attempting to mimic Arsenal's recent strategy of reducing the squad’s average age by letting go of high-earning veterans like Mesut Özil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, allowing a younger group to mature together. This tactic has yielded success for Arsenal, who currently lead both the Premier League and Champions League standings, with powerful partnerships like William Saliba and Gabriel at the center-back position becoming envy for top clubs worldwide.</p>
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<p>Player Comparison</p>
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<p>€90.00m</p>
<p>Market Value</p>
<p>€75.00m</p>
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<p>Centre-Back</p>
<p>Position</p>
<p>Centre-Back</p>
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<p>Contract until: 30/06/2030</p>
<p>Contract until: 30/06/2029</p>
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<p><span>Full Player Comparison</span></p>
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<p>However, Arsenal has always maintained a few older, more experienced players to guide and support the younger talents, such as Mohamed Elneny, Jorginho, and now Christian Nørgaard. These veterans not only set high training standards but also create a cohesive group dynamic. This is precisely what Chelsea lacks, particularly following the departure of Thiago Silva in 2024. Arteta was afforded the time and patience to successfully manage this youthful team. As Rosenior's squad prepares to face Arteta's Arsenal in the EFL Cup semi-final this Wednesday, they must leverage more experience to outmaneuver their London rivals over the full 38-game Premier League season.
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