Chelsea players face fight or flight decision

EDITORIAL: Chelsea's senior players can't say they weren't warned.

Ahead of Sunday's defeat to Arsenal, Phil Scolari fired a first shot across their bows. The Brazilian spoke enthusiastically of Arsene Wenger's approach and his own preference of working - and grooming - young players over buying established names.

But Scolari's words weren't heeded and after their limp performance against the Gunners, John Terry was the next to make his feelings known. The singing of Arsenal's away fans could still be heard as the Chelsea captain steamed into his players, reportedly questioning their desire and attitude after Robin van Versie's dramatic smash-and-grab.

Less than 24 hours later - and still reeling from a second defeat at home, it was Peter Kenyon who delivered a very public knockout blow to Chelsea's most vulnerable. The Blues chief executive warned of big squad changes next season and predicted a "very busy" summer market.

With all the speculation that has come with Kenyon's warning, the question is now whether those in the gun at Stamford Bridge will be thinking more about their next move, than the next game.

Big Phil's honeymoon is now officially over. From being described by fearful opponents as Europe's best team, Chelsea are now struggling to win at Stamford Bridge and are one result from Champions League elimination. The re-signing of Frank Lampard and Nicolas Anelka's free-scoring form have been great tributes to Scolari's man-management, but his failure to topple any of Chelsea's immediate title rivals has thrown the spotlight on the flexibility of his tactics during game day.

Over the past month, Chelsea has taken some big hits in the media over their youth system. The downsizing of their global scouting team and Frank Arnesen's wobbly position as technical director has led to harsh criticism of the quality coming through the club's academy.

So, it was a surprise that it wasn't until Monday that we finally had some official reaction from Chelsea over their impressive FA Youth Cup victory at Manchester United last week.

Perhaps there was a vacuum left by Brendan Rodgers' departure to Watford, but with such a public emphasis on the need to 'grow their own', it was expected Chelsea would be more aggressive about their academy's victory, particularly given the symbolism of the game's two outstanding performers, big-money French signing Gael Kukuta and local lad Frank Nouble.

Kenyon made mention of the victory in Monday's announcement of Chelsea's deal with Thomas Cook and you fancy his and Scolari's comments about bringing through more young players is what lies ahead for Blues supporters.

This summer, as "busy" as Kenyon has predicted, could be the last we see of Chelsea buying not only frontline stars, but also squad players.

Chelsea hope to be self-funding in 2010 and by then the likes Michael Mancienne and Ryan Bertrand, if they continue their progress, will be part of the first group of academy graduates capable of competing for a first team place.

For now, it's all about Big Phil motivating senior, some may say jaded, players, of which a number have outstayed their welcome. Scolari will get his chance to make his mark at Stamford Bridge, just as close friend Wenger has at Arsenal, the challenge for the current squad is how many want to be part of it?