The men’s first team were not the only side to be involved in a 2-2 draw in their latest game but in contrast to Frank Lampard’s side, it was our development squad which came back from two goals down at half-time with the second equaliser scored very late on.
The opposition at Aldershot were Tottenham and the competition was the PL2. Manager of our dev squad side Andy Myers has given his reaction to the game to the official Chelsea website.Read: PL2 report: Chelsea 2 Tottenham 2‘It was a very well-deserved point but it was a slow start,’ he said. ‘The game plan didn’t change, the tactics were the same, but we didn’t implement it with the intensity we should have. We got better midway through the first half but we were 2-0 down by then so there were a few harsh words at half-time and we got a response, but you are lucky if you keep getting it back. I know we have good players but when you step up a level you don’t get those 2-0 leads back.‘But our heads didn’t go down. This is one thing with the group, their mentality is very strong. They come into training every day with a work ethic to do well. There is a massive buzz around the club and they sense it as well. I am not saying that they didn’t last year but they know what they need to play for and midway through the first half at two down we still dug deep and still got back into it, and looked better. To come out in the second half and dominate the way we did is very pleasing but overall I am disappointed in the same breath as well.’
The Chelsea goals came from midfielder Clinton Mola and full-back Tariq Lamptey…
‘There were two very good goals,’ says Myers. ‘Clinton Mola made an exceptional run and showed exceptional composure to then slot it home and it was needed. With 25 minutes to go we were thinking right, we are going to get another one. Tariq Lamptey’s was an exceptional piece of skill on the edge of the box, a little cut back and a left-foot finish and to take that opportunity with his left, I am really pleased for him to get the end product for all that work he does going forward.’
Toni Rudiger played the full game and demonstrated his return to full fitness…
‘It is great we get senior players come and play with the younger boys, they have a mentality and the two times he has played for us his attitude has been spot on. He wants to get fit, he wants to get back into the men’s first team. You can see that and it shows our boys the way to always approach things.’
One member of the dev squad, Juan Castillo, has moved on loan for senior football experience at Ajax, in a league Myers knows well from his time coaching at Vitesse…
‘It is a great move for him, it is where he came from and for development it is a very good league for him. We know Ajax and their mentality to bring young players through but he has been developed by us for a while so it is quite a complement that Ajax want to take him back as well, based on all he has been learning under us.’
On the morning of the Tottenham game, Myers’ captain Marc Guehi was called up to the England Under-21 squad for the first time…
‘Marc has been exceptional at the start of this season,’ says the coach. ‘He has grown up a little and in his performances he has been there or thereabout and I am pleased for him. It is no more than he deserved and his performances have shown that. He and Toni led by example in the centre of defence in this game. They kept going, kept driving on and showed composure and defended well.’