Chelsea concentrated on improving their youth in the summer gone by, acquiring the likes of Cesare Casadei and Carney Chukwuemeka.
The summer acquisitions enriched an already highly rated team in the Premier League 2 and they now take on Oxford United in the EFL Trophy tonight.
Short highlighted the myriad of options at the disposal of Chelsea Under-21s manager Mark Robinson and thinks the Blues will be desperate to give the players game-time in today’s match.
But the Oxford assistant thinks the match is important for the youngsters of the Yellows as well and he is eagerly looking forward to it.
Speaking to Oxford United’s official site, Short said: “Chelsea have got a huge pool to choose from and different plans for those players.
“They have a loan manager there and they will be desperate to see the players in this sort of game.
“But it’s not just Chelsea, it’s also very important for our own youngsters.
“Some of them have made a contribution already this year and have established themselves in the squad.
“They have got through any nerves and you don’t see the difference in training any more.
“You do have to get used to it, leaving the youth environment and making that next step, but people like James Golding and Tyler Goodrham have done that.”
Oxford United have won their only previous match in this year’s competition, while Chelsea lost theirs and the Blues’ youth team will be eager to get points on the table.
