When it comes to British football, Chelsea are a force to be reckoned with. Since the turn of the millennium, it has been one of the most successful clubs in the country and the world.
They have won the UEFA Champions League twice and lifted the Premier League a further five times, as well as a host of domestic, continental and world cups. But one thing the Blues have been maligned for in that time is a lack of local academy products.
Despite their impressive youth academy program consistently producing world-class players and proving that their ‘loan army’ system is not just for show, few have managed to make the step up to the first team at Stamford Bridge.
One man looking to stake his claim for his own starting spot this season is Conor Gallagher. The talented young central midfielder has started all but one game for the west London side this season, and has even captained the team on seven occasions.
While their form has been impressive, the Blues are still trying to rebuild their season after a disappointing start. They currently sit in 10th place in the league standings and as such, Bovada Sportsbook rates them as +25000 outsiders for a sixth Premier League trophy this season.
Unfortunately, we don’t see that happening for the Stamford Bridge faithful; However, hopefully the next few years will see more players like these come through Cobham’s doors.
John Terry
“Captain, leader, legend”, as the sign at Stamford Bridge says. and there really is no need to say anything else. John Terry is, without a doubt, one of the greatest players to ever come out of both the Chelsea academy and England as a whole.
His 19-year career at the club is marked by a host of honors and achievements, including five Premier League titles, five FA Cups, three League Cups and, last but not least, the Champions League. of UEFA, although he missed the final. in Munich for a reckless red card against Barcelona in the semi-finals.
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One of the latest academy products to make the cut is Mason Mount, who made his name as an integral part of both Stamford Bridge and Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions set-up. After being given a break by former coach and club record scorer Frank Lampard, the midfielder showed consistency and versatility on the field with a penchant for scoring goals and helping his teammates.
He was a key cog in the team that defeated Manchester City in the 2021 UEFA Champions League final before helping England reach the Euro 2020 final that same summer.
Unfortunately for Money Mase, his form dipped a bit last season and he has since left the club in a profitable move to Manchester United. So far, he has failed to replicate the kind of form that made him one of Europe’s most sought-after midfielders and it remains to be seen if he will one day return to his best. If he does, the Red Devils will have a player on their hands at Old Trafford.
James Reece
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Like Mount, Reece James is another young prodigy who rose through the ranks of the aforementioned Lampard. He was also crucial to the club’s continental exploits three years ago; However, unlike Mount, James has established himself as a cornerstone at Bridge, and was even named captain by Mauricio Pochettino earlier this season.
The right-back has quickly become a fan favourite, making a name for himself for his incredible technical ability, which has seen him score a number of goals and crucial assists from the right wing.
Both this season and last, he has battled injuries, which has forced him to drop down the national team’s pecking order. However, when he is fit and firing, he is the first name on Chelsea’s team sheet, and is arguably England’s best right-back, despite facing stiff competition from both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kyle Walker. It remains to be seen which of the three will start for England at Euro 2024 next summer.
Fikayo Tomori
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Fikayo Tomori joined Chelsea’s academy at the age of eight and honed his craft as one of Europe’s best centre-backs. The speedy defender rose through the ranks in the youth set-up and progressed to become a first-team regular, but the Blues’ spending spree under new owner Todd Boehly suddenly saw the Englishman drop down the pecking order.
During his first three transfer periods in charge, the American tycoon spent a whopping €300 million on central defenses alone, bringing in the likes of Wesley Fofana and Kalidou Koulibaly. That led to Tomori being sent to AC Milan, first on loan before making the move permanent, and he has become one of the best defenders in Serie A today, even helping the Rossoneri reach a UEFA Champions League semi-final last last season.
