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#3 Reece James
Reece James is one of several highly promising players to come through the Chelsea academy. He has enjoyed a rise to prominence following a successful loan spell at Wigan Athletic in the 2018-19 Championship.
James was brought into the first team set-up by former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard, who promoted several players from the club's academy into the senior team.
James has continued to start under Thomas Tuchel and has become a key player at Stamford Bridge in the past two seasons. He has made 84 appearances across all competitions and helped Chelsea win last season's Champions League title.
The rise of Reece James in the past two years has been nothing short of extraordinary. Still only 21, the Chelsea academy graduate will hope to be an integral part of both club and country in the future.
#2 Andreas Christensen
Andreas Christensen’s rollercoaster of a Chelsea career began way back in 2012 as a teenager when he joined the Chelsea academy. The 25-year-old has become a key player under Thomas Tuchel after being down the pecking order under other managers.
Christensen joined Chelsea from Brondby in 2012 at the age of 16. Since then. the defender has won the FA Youth Cup and UEFA Youth League with the club's academy before spending two years on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach.
Christensen returned to Chelsea in 2017 and soon became an integral part of Antonio Conte's side. He played 40 games that season, helping the Blues win the FA Cup.
He was used in a bit-part role by Maurizio Sarri and Frank Lampard, but the arrival of Thomas Tuchel saw Christensen get more game time. He was the first-choice centre-back replacement whenever Antonio Rudiger, Thiago Silva or Cesar Azpilicueta got injured.
Christensen continued to step in whenever required, most notably in the Champions League final against Manchester City, when he came on for the injured Thiago Silva and put on a strong display. He also had a brilliant Euro 2020 campaign with Denmark, helping them reach the semi-finals, where they lost to England in extra time.
Still only 25, the Chelsea academy graduate has many years ahead of him. With the likes of Silva and Azpilicueta nearing their late and mid-30s, Chelsea would require someone to provide continuity and experience in defence. Christensen possesses all those qualities, so the Blues will hope he can be a rock in their backline for years to come.
#1 Mason Mount
Recently named Chelsea's Player of the Year, Mason Mount is slowly rising to superstardom, and it is not at all surprising. Earlier in 2020, Lionel Messi had named Mount as one of the world's most exciting young stars. As of now, it looks like the Argentine was spot on about the young English phenomenon.
Mount started training at the Chelsea academy at the age of six and has risen through the ranks at the club to make the first team. He won the UEFA Youth League and the FA Youth Cup with the academy team and also set up England's winner in the U-19 European Championship final.
His impressive performances earned him a loan move to Vitesse Arnhem 2017 in Holland. Mount scored 14 goals, which helped Vitesse qualify for the Europa League the next season.
In 2018, the Chelsea academy graduate was sent on loan to Derby County in the Championship, where he was managed by Lampard and his former youth coach Jody Morris. Mount was an integral part of the team, registered 16 goals and assists as the Rams fell 90 minutes short of promotion to the Premier League.
Mount started the 2019-20 season with Chelsea's senior team under Frank Lampard. The Chelsea academy graduate was a consistent player for the team, making more than 50 appearances in his debut season and helping the Blues secure a top-four finish and also reach the FA Cup final.
Mason Mount continued his impressive performances the next season, finishing the campaign with 21 goals and assists while also setting up the winner for Kai Havertz in the Champions League final.
The 22-year-old certainly has a bright future ahead.
