Kakuta set for Chelsea bench
Chelsea fans may get the chance to judge for themselves what all the fuss has been about when controversial teenager Gael Kakuta takes his place on the Chelsea substitutes’ bench at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.
The 18-year-old is the French wonder kid who Chelsea were found guilty of inducing to breach his contract with Lens.
FIFA banned Chelsea, who deny any wrongdoing, from any transfer activity for the next two transfer windows in September, but this was suspended until the club’s appeal is dealt with by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
It means Kakuta is allowed to play and with Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack, Didier Drogba and Deco all ruled out of today’s Premier League clash against Wolves through injury, Kakuta could make his first-team debut from the bench.
If he does Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti says the fans will witness a player he describes as the best 18-year-old footballer he has ever seen.
Ancelotti said: “He is a very good talent. His character is good. He is a quiet boy but at that age I have never seen a player with this talent.
“His technique is fantastic. He has a left foot which is technically very good.”
Ancelotti, whose side are five points clear at the top of the Premier League, has identified the number 10 berth normally filled by Deco or Joe Cole as Kakuta’s best position and believes the only thing he is lacking is muscle.
Ancelotti said: “He is not so strong at the moment. He has to improve his physical quality but technically he is ready to play. Ready to come on.”
Another 18-year-old, Fabio Borini, is also set to be on the Chelsea bench along with 21-year-old midfielder Nemanja Matic as Ancelotti seeks to give his youngsters experience.
It is all part of a plan to use the young guns as cover when Chelsea lose their African stars for the African Nations Cup in January.
Ancelotti said: “We have to play without the African players in January. We don’t want to take players on loan so we can use young players in that period on the bench.”
