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Chelsea is known for spending big in the transfer market, but the Blues also have a robust academy that has produced talented footballers in the past few years.
Despite being associated with the expenditure of exorbitant amounts, Chelsea also boast one of the finest academies in world football. The London giants' youth teams won back-to-back UEFA Youth League titles in 2015 and 2016. They have also won the Premier League 2 competition twice. Meanwhile, their U18 side won five straight FA Youth Cups between 2013 and 2018.
Thanks to a combination of astute scouting, well-rounded development and deep pockets, Chelsea's future appears to be in secure hands. The average age of their 2021-22 squad is 26.7, which is younger than that of Manchester City and Liverpool, and level with Manchester United.
Several Chelsea youngsters are already key members of the current squad
For most of 2010s, Chelsea faced heavy criticism for failing to give first team opportunities to talented players from their stacked youth teams. Their tendency to loan out most of their players also came under the scanner. The situation hasn't changed in that respect, as Chelsea sent out 37 players on loan in 2020-21.
Such is the proficiency of their Cobham academy that the Premier League is littered with players who rose up the ranks at Chelsea. Declan Rice, Tariq Lamptey, Nathan Ake, Tino Livramento and Eddie Nketiah are just a few notable names at other clubs who originally came through at Cobham.
However, the London club have increasingly given first team opportunities to the cream of the crop from their academy. It also goes without saying that Chelsea still spend lavishly, although there has been an evident effort to bring in younger players. For instance, they spent a massive £272 million in the 2020 summer transfer window on the likes of Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and others.
Here's a look at five talented stars who could go on to become a vital part of Chelsea's future:
#5 Trevoh Chalobah
What a season 22-year-old Trevoh Chalobah is having. The centre-back has already played in 11 of Chelsea's 18 league games so far and has also faced Juventus in the Champions League. If that wasn't enough, he's scored in both competitions!
The lanky centre-back has caught everyone's eye with his pace and power. Used primarily against opponents that feature two strikers up front, Chalobah has clearly earned Thomas Tuchel's trust.
Currently, the futures of first-choice defenders Thiago Silva, Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen are all uncertain. Hence, the Englishman might even be able to nail down a starting spot sooner rather than later.
#4 Kai Havertz
Yes, we know Kai Havertz is having an abysmal start to the 2021-22 season. But at 22, the languid German has already scored the winning goal in a Champions League final and is a starter for his national team.
Time is on Havertz's side and his ability is undeniable. Imperiously nonchalant when on song, it's true that the elegant playmaker is struggling to live up to his massive £71 million price tag. Signed from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020, Havertz has 13 goals and 12 assists in over 60 appearances for Chelsea.
His silky casualness often seems at odds with Tuchel's combative, tough-minded philosophy. But there is no doubt Chelsea have a supremely talented attacking player on their hands. The question is whether both parties can make it work.
#3 Callum Hudson-Odoi
Arguably Chelsea's most intriguing talent, questions continue to swirl around Callum Hudson-Odoi. What's his best position? Does Tuchel rate him? Will he ever develop the end product missing from his game?
It feels like an eternity ago that Bayern Munich were desperate to sign the English winger, who was mutually interested in departing Stamford Bridge. Reports constantly claim Hudson-Odoi is on the verge of leaving Chelsea. Yet he's still in London and has made over 115 appearances for the club. Somehow, he's still only 21, the same as other young superstars in the Premier League Phil Foden and Jadon Sancho.
Hudson-Odoi's had an eventful time under Thomas Tuchel. He's been taken off after coming on as a half-time substitute. He's been used as a wing-back. He's been dropped for a supposed lack of effort. But one thing is for certain: if Chelsea can bring the best out of the wideman, they will have a top-notch winger for a decade to come.
#2 Reece James
Who would have thought Reece James would be Chelsea's joint second-highest goalscorer and most prolific assist provider midway through the campaign? The wing-back has five goals and seven assists in 21 appearances. He is giving Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold serious competition for an England starting spot.
The 22-year-old is a coach's dream. Solid defensively, lightning quick, full of running and armed with a devastating cross, Reece James and Ben Chilwell have been a nightmare for opponents to deal with. With Chelsea's strikers continuing to fire blanks for a second consecutive season, Reece James might just be their most important player this year.
#1 Mason Mount
After becoming Chelsea's most important player last season, Mason Mount made a slow start to the 2021-22 campaign. Yet here we are at the halfway mark and the 22-year-old is Chelsea's leading scorer (with seven goals). He is on course to better his numbers from last season, where he each scored and assisted nine goals.
Mount's rise for club and country has been meteoric. He's earned the trust of England boss Gareth Southgate and already has 26 national caps to his name. He's scored 20 times in 88 appearances for Chelsea and has provided 16 assists.
Mount is a complete midfielder who can score, pass, dribble and win the ball back. He has consistently added to his game in recent years. If he keeps this up, It is only a matter of time before he becomes club captain and takes on a central role for his country.
