New Brexit rules in the UK means that clubs cannot sign players from abroad now until they are 18-years old, and work permits will then need to be secured.
Chelsea have started plans to react to this, meaning they will be first to a lot of the countries top young talents.
Which players will be leaving Chelsea this month? Find out here!
According to The Daily Mail, Chelsea have arranged an affiliation with a leading junior club in the heart of Newcastle and will do the same on the doorstep of other Premier League rivals.
They have joined forces with Newcastle City Juniors, who are based at Newcastle United’s former Benwell training ground less than three miles from St James’ Park, and they’ve also set one up close to Bristol City.
These affiliations will not be allowed to become official under Premier League rules as clubs cannot have development centres more than an hour’s drive from their academy base.
Chelsea will also have to wait until players turn 14 before they can attempt to sign them.
But it seems like a wise and necessary step for Chelsea to become at the forefront of recruiting young home grown talent.
