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It has been a rollercoaster of a season for Frank Lampard and Chelsea. The club legend was handed the reigns of the first team despite just a year of managerial experience ahead of the 2019-20 season following the departure of Maurizio Sarri. Despite losing Eden Hazard in the summer, as well as the ability to buy new players, the Englishman steered his side to the fourth position early on - a spot they still occupy in the table with eleven more matches left to play.
Chelsea's performances have been inconsistent of late, with the Blues racking up more defeats already than they did in the entirety of the last season. A major highlight of their campaign so far has been Lampard's ability to integrate the academy talent with the first team, with players such as Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham, and Fikayo Tomori among the ones breaking through.
The West London club has been widely criticized in the past for their failure to rely on their youth programme with several talented youngsters walking away early on in their careers. Some have fared much better than the others and we take a look at three such former Chelsea academy players who they club should bring back next season.
#3 Nathan Ake (Bournemouth)
Nathan Ake's Chelsea career followed a similar trajectory as with several other former 'failed' academy graduates. The Dutch defender started showing signs of promise early on and was subsequently sent on Premier League loans by the Blues. Ake shown at Watford and then Bournemouth, so much so, that his parent club cut short his spell with the Cherries to bring him back mid-season.
However, despite bringing him back from his loan spell at Bournemouth prematurely, Chelsea's then manager Antonio Conte barely gave Ake a chance in the first team. The Dutchman failed to amass even five appearances in the second half od the 2016-17 season for the London outfit and thus missed out on a Premier League medal.
Ake moved to Bournemouth permanently a season after and has since been a stalwart in their team. Moreover, the Dutchman has been one of the league's best defenders since his move to the Vitality Stadium and has subsequently been linked with moves to some of the country's top clubs, including Chelsea.
Rumours suggest that the Blues do indeed have the option to activate a buy-back clause for Ake, which is set at £40 million - one which they should consider using. Apart from solidity at the back, the Dutchman offers versatality as well and can play in the centre and the left-back positions, both of which have been problem areas for Frank Lampard's side.
#2 Jeremie Boga (Sassuolo)
Major parts of the Chelsea fan following have blamed club legend Gary Cahill for wrecking Jeremie Boga's career at the club. The Ivory Coast international looked to have broken through into the first team back in the 2017-18 season under Antonio Conte, after injuries to Eden Hazard and Pedro left the Blues short up top.
Boga was handed a shock start in the Blues' opening game of the 17-18 season at home to Burnley. However, he only lasted on the pitch for fourteen minutes and was replaced by another academy graduate Andreas Christensen following a straight red card to Cahill. The winger joined Birmingham on loan in the following days and was subsequently sold to Serie A side Sassuolo open returning to London.
At Sassuolo, Boga was developed into one of the most eye-catching wingers in the game currently, with both his dribbling skills and his finishing ability attracting suitors. Chelsea are said to be interested in bringing the Ivorian back to the club but face competition from Barcelona for his signature. The Blues are rumoured to have a buy-back option for the winger, however, recent reports suggested that the Serie A side were keen on getting it removed from his contract.
Clause or not, Boga is a winger Chelsea should consider for next season, with both Pedro and Willian looking likely to leave.
#1 Neil Etheridge (Cardiff City)
Although a contentious choice for the top pick, Neil Etheridge offers Chelsea a profile which they are seriously lacking this season. Frank Lampard's men have been leaking goals throughout the campaign with much of the blame being shifted to out-of-form goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. His replacement Willy Caballero hasn't fared any better during his short stint in the team, with the veteran goalkeeper conceding five times in his last three matches.
Caballero, however, looks set to be heading for the exit door, with the 38-year-old out of contract at the end of the season. The Blues will be on the lookout for a back-up goalkeeper in the summer transfer window and former academy player Neil Etheridge could prove to be a shrewd pick-up.
The Philippines' international is currently playing in the Championship with Cardiff City, helping the Bluebirds in their quest to return to the top division on the first go following last season's relegation. Etheridge has already proven his worth in the Premier League, with the custodian keeping ten cleansheets throughout the 2018-19 season - three more than David de Gea. He also finished the campaign with one hundred and forty-one saves, second only to Lukasz Fabianski.
