Taiwo and Woods must forever regret the day they left Leeds United
Chelsea may well be one of European football’s heavyweights, but they are not too hot on youth development. The Roman Abramovich era has brought with it its fair share of glory, with an endless list of domestic trophies and some memorable European victories however, the Russian’s hunger for success at Stamford Bridge has greatly hindered the club’s youth development. Chelsea may be taking a step in the right direction now, with the likes of Gael Kakuta and Fabio Borini breaking into the first team, but for every Kakuta and Borini, there are a handful of youngsters who never got a chance in west London.
Perfect examples of such youngsters are the former Leeds United prodigies Tom Taiwo and Michael Woods. The pair moved from the Yorkshire club to Chelsea in 2006 in a highly controversial transfer. Former Chelsea chairman Ken Bates accused Chelsea of ‘tapping up’ the youngsters as things went from bad to worse for United as they continued to lose the players that would potentially help restore the club to its former glories. Chelsea were eventually ordered to pay Leeds £5 million in compensation for the pair however, the Yorkshire club were still aggrieved at the manner in which the move took place.
Taiwo and Woods believed they had secured their ticket into the Premier League and were preparing themselves for the challenges that lay ahead, but things did not go to plan for the pair.
Taiwo, an English midfielder of Nigerian descent, failed to make any first team appearances for Chelsea during his time at Stamford Bridge. He was loaned out to League Two side Port Vale in August of 2008 yet was returned a month later as the side decided not to extend his loan. He struggled in the Chelsea youth team and failed to impress with a trial with the Seattle Sounders in March of last year. He has since turned an impressive loan spell with Carlisle United into a permanent deal and has left Stamford Bridge never having made a first team league appearance.
Woods story is less dramatic but equally as bleak. The 19 year old midfielder had spent some time in the reserves before making a string of appearances for the first team in F.A Cup. He appeared as a substitute for Frank Lampard in the tie with Macclesfield and has had a brief taste of first team football. The youngster still remains at the club and admittedly his career has been interrupted by injuries but time is running out and the midfielder does not look like breaking into the first team any time soon.
Taiwo and Woods act as a reminder that for every young prodigy that bursts onto the footballing scene, there are several who have had their dreams shattered. The pair are proof that sometimes the domestic giants are not always the way forward and the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. They will likely forever regret the day they left Elland Road.
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Why would they forever regret leaving Leeds? I’m sure they both are pleased they were given the opportunity, and if they were good enough they would be played. Development/training/facilities would be far better at Chelsea. Taiwo is now playing for a team at the same level as Leeds and if he’s any good he’ll play higher.
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Taiwo and Woods would probably have developed much quicker in Leeds’s first team, than competing for places alongside other youth players at Chelsea.
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Fabian Delph was the 3rd player that Chelsea “allegedly” Tapped-Up, but he decided to stay at Leeds. But look where he is now!!!!
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Danny Rose was the third player tapped up by Chelsea. He opted to stay with Leeds at the time but has now moved onto Tottenham.
Fabian Delph came through the ranks at Leeds and played a starring role for a couple of seasons in the Leeds first team, learning his trade in a competitive league in front of bumper home crowds. He moved to Villa at the start of this season and has mad a few first team appearances and is highly thought of there. Proof that playing first team football albeit at a lower level is far better for a young players’ developement than jumping ship and taking the money offered by unscrupulous clubs such as Chelsea.
Woods’ and Taiwos’ careers have been set back years, maybe never to recover by their eagerness for the highlife. If they’d stayed at Leeds they may have made a real name for themselves.
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Anyone know how much Carlisle did pay or are going to pay Chelsea for Tom Taiwo?
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I’m not too sure Ananiasson – it was an undisclosed fee
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