'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Since its inception, Premier League clubs have relied heavily on young players to bring something extra to the table. Chelsea, being one of the most successful English clubs over the last two decades, is no exception.
Chelsea's current coach Thomas Tuchel may not be as youth-dependent as his predecessor Frank Lampard. But there have been some inspirational promotions under the German tactician as well.
Calum Hudson-Odoi, Reece James and Mason Mount have successfully turned into first-team players under Tuchel, and there is room for more. Seeing Chelsea graduates competing in the biggest tournaments should be incentive enough for Chelsea’s youth prospects, and we could see more of them come through.
Chelsea currently have a fine blend of young first-teamers and reserve-bench stars who can step up, and today we will check out who they are.
Now, without further ado, let us check out the top five youngsters at Chelsea in 2021.
#5 Bryan Fiabema
18-year-old Bryan Fiabema joined Chelsea’s U-23 side from Tromso IL II in January 2020. The right-footed centre-forward is an excellent striker of the ball and surprisingly capable of picking out pockets of space. Fiabema also packs enough pace to trouble opposition defenders and is adept at picking up the ball from midfield.
As part of Chelsea’s U-23 team, Fiabema plays in the Premier League 2. In the 2021-22 Premier League 2 campaign, Fiabema featured in six games, netting four goals.
He has also scored one goal in the UEFA Youth League, while the EFL Trophy has also witnessed the magic of his shooting boot. Fiabema is yet to earn a call-up to the senior side.
However, with Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner picking up injuries, he could very well get an opportunity in cup competitions.
#4 Jude Soonsup-Bell
Jude Soonsup-Bell is one of those very few attacking talents you just cannot keep your eyes off. Soonsup-Bell began his football education at Swindon Town when he was only nine years old.
In 2015, the 17-year-old left Swindon to join Chelsea’s youth academy. The youngster wasted no time settling in at Chelsea and started scoring right from the start.
In the 2020-21 season, Soonsup-Bell scored a total of 20 goals in 12 appearances for Chelsea’s U-18 and U-23 sides. His extraordinary work in front of goal swayed Frank Lampard, who called him up to train with first-team stars.
Yes, Soonsup-Bell is yet to make his first-team debut, but we believe it will come sooner rather than later.
#3 Callum Hudson-Odoi
For Chelsea fans, the rise of Callum Hudson-Odoi is a thing of pride. He was not always the brightest player in Chelsea’s academy, but his tenacity shone through. Through perseverance and sheer hard work, Hudson-Odoi rose through Chelsea’s ranks to become an important member of the first team.
Hudson-Odoi first joined the Blues in 2007 and made his under-18 debut in 2016. Two years later, in January 2018, he broke into the first team, featuring in the FA Cup match victory against Newcastle United. The 20-year-old is currently with Thomas Tuchel’s first team and plays primarily on the right wing.
The winger is great with the ball at his feet, is impressively quick, and can shoot better than most. Given Chelsea’s depth, it will not be easy for him to become a regular in the Premier League. But we should see more of him in the EFL and FA Cups.
#2 Xavier Mbuyamba
Many Chelsea fans hail Xavier Mbuyamba as the next big thing at Chelsea, and we cannot help but agree with them. He was first courted by Chelsea in 2019. Terms were agreed like clockwork and the deal was set to go through.
Unfortunately, Chelsea were hit by a transfer ban right before his transfer was finalized, meaning he had to wait for his favorite club to return for him.
Finally, in August 2020, he signed for the Chelsea U-23 side but was almost immediately sidelined with a torn meniscus. The centre-back is slowly getting his fitness back and has trained alongside first-team stars over the course of the international break.
Thomas Tuchel even kept him on the team-sheet for Chelsea’s EFL Cup tie against Aston Villa. He did not get the chance to make his debut, of course, but Tuchel’s confidence in him is certainly promising.
Don't be surprised if he manages to wiggle his way in and star in a cup or Premier League game this season.
#1 Reece James
England international and Chelsea right-back Reece James is an inspiration to millions of budding footballers across the world. But for Chelsea academy students, he is already an icon, an example deserving of unflinching devotion.
James joined Chelsea when he was only six years old. He rose through the youth ranks, overcoming every hurdle to win his Chelsea senior team debut in September 2019. The 21-year-old is a technical full-back who can play even as a centre-back or in the middle of the pitch.
He crosses well, has blistering pace and possesses surprisingly impressive close control. All these skills make him Chelsea’s most promising U-21 player, and we cannot wait to see how his story unfolds.
