Chelsea hired Derby County’s U18s coach Adam Thorley to strengthen the youth development process. | OneFootball

Chelsea hired Derby County’s U18s coach Adam Thorley to strengthen the youth development process. | OneFootball

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A Stamford Bridge Too Far

·31 October 2021

Chelsea hired Derby County’s U18s coach Adam Thorley to strengthen the youth development process.

Article image:Chelsea hired Derby County’s U18s coach Adam Thorley to strengthen the youth development process.

Chelsea hire Derby County’s U18s coach Adam Thorley to strengthen the youth development process.

According to Derby Telegraph, Derby County has been handed a huge blow as Premier League giants Chelsea and Liverpool have both landed youth coaches Adam Thorley and Matthew Thorpe respectively.

Derby County has been a source for good academy graduates in the past few years. The loss of their youth coaches is a testament that the big boys are taking notice of it.


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The Rams academy has been producing and nurturing great talent for a lengthy time now. They are able to do this because of their world-class youth development infrastructure and support team.

Article image:Chelsea hired Derby County’s U18s coach Adam Thorley to strengthen the youth development process.

Lee Buchanan emerged from Derby’s academy ranks to the first team (Getty Images)

They have given many academy graduates first-team starts that boosted their growth. In the current squad, Lee Buchanan, Max Bird, Jason Knight and Louie Sibley all emerged from the academy ranks.

Derby was hit by a transfer ban from English Football League this summer. Because of this reason they need their academy graduates now more than ever. Due to the demand, the academy’s role has become more noticeable.

Chelsea for their part signed Derby’s U18s coach Adam Thorley who served the academy for ten years. He will now take over as the Under-15 coach at Chelsea. Derby’s Under-15s coach Matthew Thorpe will now aid Liverpool in their development of youth. He spent more than eight years at Derby.

Article image:Chelsea hired Derby County’s U18s coach Adam Thorley to strengthen the youth development process.

Max Bird also impressed everyone after making his first-team start. Credit: Ryan Conway(TheAthletic)

Chelsea are going to use the experience of the veteran professional to produce some of their own stars and replicate the success of Derby’s academy.

Matthew Thorpe and Adam Thorley both had a great influence on the players and served the Rams academy for a long time. Their departure can have a prominent impact on the academy.

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With their departure, lots of questions are lingering on the current Derby management. Academy has been a power of the club and has gifted Pride Park with some great talents in the past. Now with two of their veterans gone, they have to find some answers soon or else the academy will suffer a huge blow.

As Chelsea fans, we don’t really have much to worry about. Hopefully, Thorley will go on to work his magic in London.

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