5 Chelsea youngsters who could become superstars

Not many clubs have seen as much change on and off the pitch as Chelsea over the past decade. The Blues have consistently spent big money to improve the quality on the pitch, and have constantly chopped and changed in regards to managers.

Since being taken over Roman Abramovich in 2003, there have been 11 managers who have sat in the hot seat at Stamford Bridge. However controversial this technique has been, there is no doubting that it has bought about success. Since Abramovich took over, the Blues have won five Premier League titles, five FA Cups, and the Champions League in 2012.

It has been a similar story with players coming in and out the door at Chelsea. At times they have been ruthless, and it really hasn’t worked, with the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Mohamed Salah thriving after leaving Chelsea.

At other times, they have bought very well, with Didier Drogba, and more recently Cesar Azpilicueta going on to have very successful careers with Chelsea, despite being unknown quantities to many when they moved to Stamford Bridge.

One thing that we haven’t seen though is a player come from the youth team and break into the first team. John Terry was the last man to establish himself after coming from the youth team, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Andreas Christensen the most likely of the current youngsters to make the grade.

There are currently a number of excellent young players in the Chelsea youth team and out on loan who could be capable of having a real impact on the first team. Here are five men who could be set for an excellent career at Chelsea.

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#1 Callum Hudson-Odoi

Hudson-Odoi appeared for Chelsea on a number of occasions in pre-season

Hudson-Odoi is certainly someone who might be able to force himself into the Chelsea first team this season, and Maurizio Sarri looks like he is willing to have him in and around the first team. He impressed during pre-season, and played a part in all of Chelsea’s matches, and was a constant threat on the left wing. He was very popular amongst fans, and many believe that he has a massive future at Stamford Bridge.

There are certainly some similarities between him and Eden Hazard. He is a skilful, pacy winger who looks to go past a man. He is a lot more direct than Hazard, and once he gets in position to have a go at goal, he usually takes it on. He wasn’t sent out on loan this season, suggesting that he is in Sarri’s plans for this season. He has already got some Premier League experience, having appeared from the bench twice for Chelsea last season, and he will hope to build on that.

#2 Ethan Ampadu

Ampadu has won three senior international caps for Wales

Not many players have fully established internationals at the age of 17, but Ampadu is approaching that level. The youngster has really begun to make an impact with Wales over the past few months and was brilliant in their 4-0 win over Northern Ireland on Friday night. He looks like someone who isn’t fazed by the tests of stepping up into the big games under pressure, and he comes across as someone mature beyond his years.

He is certainly a very talented young player and undoubtedly has a very bright future. He is capable of playing in the back four, and in a defensive midfield role, and has the attributes to play both. He is probably better suited to the midfield because he is excellent on the ball and a fabulous passer of the ball. His ability to read the game is superb, and if he doesn’t become a top class player, and become a regular in Chelsea’s side, then it will be a real shock because he looks like he has a massive future.

#3 Mason Mount

Mount is spending the season on loan at Derby County

I could describe to you the sort of player that Mount is and the sort of attributes he has. However, it would be much easier to say that he is very similar to Chelsea legend Frank Lampard. Because of this, he will certainly become a better player over the next year, as he is currently on loan at Derby County, who are managed by Lampard. We have already seen some improvements in Mount’s game, and he is looking more and more like a young Lampard.

He is a very creative player and sees a pass better than most young players. He is still 19 but has already shown that he is capable of doing the business at senior level, having impressed for Vitesse on loan last season, scoring 14 goals in 39 games in all competitions. He is certainly the sort of player who should succeed under Maurizio Sarri because he has the passing style that fits his style of play.

#4 Jay Dasilva

Dasilva spent 18 months on loan with Charlton Athletic

Dasilva is the oldest player on this list at 20, but he still has a lot of experience of English football. He spent 18 months on loan with Charlton Athletic, during which he made 48 appearances in League One, and was a star performer, winning the Addick’s Player of the Year award last season. He has moved up a division this summer, joining Championship side Bristol City on loan for this season, replacing Joe Bryan, who left the club to join Fulham.

The left-back has earned a lot of praise in recent years, in particular from former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright, who claimed Dasilva was “better than any Premier League left back” in 2015. He has also had a lot of success at youth level, winning three FA Youth Cups, two UEFA League titles, and in 2017, was part of the England side who won the European Under-19 Championship. He will now hope to bring that level of success to senior level, and hopefully with Chelsea.

#5 Trevoh Chalobah

Chalobah has appeared for England at youth international level

Chalobah is a familiar name for Chelsea fans, but they will be more familiar with his brother Nathaniel, who started out his career with the Blues and is now with Watford. Trevoh will hope to succeed where his brother didn’t, and establish himself in Chelsea’s first team. The 19-year-old was a surprise name on the team sheet for Chelsea in the FA Cup Final, but he didn’t make it off the bench against Manchester United.

He is now receiving his first taste of senior football, having joined Ipswich Town on loan. He has already grabbed his first senior goal, netting the equaliser in his side’s draw with Aston Villa. Like Dasilva, he was part of England’s European Under-19 Championship winning side in 2017 and will look to build on that success. He isn’t too similar to his brother. He is a big, strong centre back, built very much in the old-fashioned mould. He may not be as good on the ball as some other young centre-backs, but that is something that will improve as he gets more experience.