Time for Chelsea to look to their Youngsters?

With a place in a fourth FA Youth Cup final in as many years secured, a tie against Roma in the UEFA Youth League final approaching and the U21 side two points off top-spot in the U21 Barclays Premier League, is it finally time for the Blues to graduate their academy players into the first team?

It’s no secret that Chelsea have developed a rather poor reputation when it comes to giving their youth players a chance in the first team.

Despite the inordinate array of talent that has passed through Chelsea’s academy system in recent years, not since the debut of a certain John Terry back in 1998 has an academy graduate cemented their place in the Chelsea side.

Loan spell after loan spell, combined with one or two first team appearances here and there, has resulted in a stuttering development for the stockpile of talent at Chelsea’s disposal, Josh McEachran being one of the main victims of this system.

And it’s not as though there is a significant reason for the Blues to disregard their youngsters.

Ever since romping to a 5-0 victory away against Swansea in January, the Blues have only won six of their following 13 fixtures; looking tired and crashing out of both the FA Cup and Champions League to Bradford City and Paris Saint-Germain respectively.

And with the likes of Patrick Bamford scoring for fun on loan at Middlesborough, Lewis Baker in good form on loan at MK Dons and Dominic Solanke being named as England’s Youth Player of the Year, an injection of youth might just be what a slightly fatigued Chelsea side need.

So, who could step up to the plate?

Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

The 19-year-old midfielder has been on the fringes of the first team this season after impressing for last seasons league-winning U21 side. Jose Mourinho has already commented on Loftus-Cheek’s future at the club, stating that Chelsea will not pursue the signing of French midfield-ace Paul Pogba, as Loftus-Cheek will have a big part to play for the first team next season.

Patrick Bamford.

Could he be the next Harry Kane? It sounds premature, I know; given that Kane has yet to prove himself for more than one season at Spurs, as well as for England, however Bamford has already proven himself to be a natural goal-scorer in the Football League. The 21-year-old striker has been a model of consistency over the past couple of years, scoring consistently for MK Dons last season and now helping Aitor Karanka’s Middlesborough side challenge for promotion with 16 goals so far this season.

Dom Solanke.

The 17-year-old striker trained with the England first team earlier today after being named as England’s Young Player of the Year due to his key role in England’s U17 European Championship winning side last summer, as well as his sparkling form this season-in which he has netted 31 times.

Lewis Baker.

After scoring the crucial goal which won the U21 Premier League for the Blues last season, the 19-year-old midfielder was named as Chelsea’s Young Player of the Year last season. And he’s maintained his good form this season too; impressing in pre-season for Chelsea, as well as on loan spells for Sheffield Wednesday and MK Dons.

There are plenty of other worthy candidates amongst the Chelsea youngsters too, including Nathan Ake, Andreas Christensen, Charlie Colkett and Izzy Brown.

And I’m sure Mourinho has recognised the embarrassing amount of young talent at his disposal, but what will he do with them? Will they earn a place in the first team? Or will Chelsea maintain the trend and buy “marquee” players in the summer?

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