Harvey Vale deserves to start again vs Villa and this is where he could play – Talk Chelsea

Cobham shone bright again this week as we saw five youth academy stars named in the squad to face Brentford on Wednesday night as they helped fire us through to the semi final of the League Cup.

None of Harvey Vale, Jude Soonsup-Bell, or Xavier Simons looked out of place on Wednesday as they stepped into the Chelsea starting line up, and Charlie Webster and Lewis Hall on the bench I’d have no concerns of them coming on and doing exactly the same as well.

Chelsea are now starting to get a few first teamers back now, with Callum Hudson-Odoi, Romelu Lukaku, and Andreas Christensen all joining in training on Thursday.

This is great news of course, but for me I would be starting Harvey Vale again against Aston Villa this Boxing Day, purely because for me right now Marcos Alonso needs a rest from the start, and Vale is our second best left wing back option.

For those who might be unfamiliar with youth football at Chelsea and wonder why I am saying play an attacker at wing back, this is because Vale is hugely versatile and has played at wing back quite a bit at youth level and is competent there. You probably noticed what an all-round talent he is and how physical he can be, he has it all about his game making him a perfect option for wing back in this system.

I also feel that he deserves to start again after his great performance in the week. Whilst he was on the pitch, especially in the first half, he was one of our better players, which says a lot.

I’m not about to shout ‘fill the team with academy lads’ because I know we need balance and the experience. But I think starting Vale again against Villa will send a huge message to the academy lads who may think it is impossible to make it in this Chelsea team right now, and more importantly to Vale who they are trying to get to sign a new and improved contract at the club and avoid another Tino Livramento situation with.

So not only are you solving a problem by giving Alonso a rest, you are also helping a potentially knife-edged contract situation at the club.