With owner Roman Abramovich providing millions of dollars to spend, it’s easy to understand why Chelsea has become known as a team that buys their way to success rather than develops and promotes from within.
It would be difficult to argue with the results either – especially this year when the Blues are sitting atop the Premier League standings while also ranking among the Champions League favorites entering the Round of 16. However, while on the surface Chelsea has seemed like a team willing to simply buy trophies by adding immediate help, they have also invested heavily in player development over the years. It looks like it a strong team is only going to get better in the coming years as Chelsea has some tantalizing young talent.
Tomas Kalas, 21 – D
It has been a long road for the 21-year-old defender, who after being loaned out to FC Cologne of the Bundesliga, has found a temporary home with Middlesbrough. Kalas is an able defender that has proven he can play either in the middle or on the right side and that versatility will be key as he looks to eventually find a spot with the Blues. Chelsea’s aging defense core is projected to include a 35-year-old John Terry, a 30-year-old Filipe Luis, and a 31-year-old Branislav Ivanovic next season and it wouldn’t be a surprise if Kalas gets a look as a potential key piece to the future on the back line. Expect to see him in the rotation with the veterans.
Patrick Bamford, 21 – F
The 21-year-old forward has already scored seven goals in 21 championship appearances for Middlesbrough this season and he could find a permanent home with the Blues in the very near future. Much of Bamford’s immediate future depends on the status of Didier Drogba and when the Chelsea legend will be ready to end his career. When he does, that will make room for the future star striker. The Blues could also decide to go in a different direction and sign another big name to back up Diego Costa and company, but Bamford has shown flashes of what he could bring to the table and there is no doubt he would get a look at from manager Jose Mourinho and his staff.
Lewis Baker, 19 – M
Chelsea’s 2014 Young Player of the Year has been hailed as a future Premier League star and he might be ready to fight for a spot on Mourinho’s first team by as early as next summer. A young midfielder that has excellent vision and is a capable scorer from the midfield position, the most likely scenario for Baker is another year on loan as he continues to develop his skills as a complete player. He’ll undoubtedly be ready to contribute at the highest level by the time he is 21.
Nathaniel Chalobah, 20 – F
Perhaps the most interesting case among the young players in Chelsea’s system over the past couple of years is Chalobah, who played for the England U-21 side but has struggled to fill a need up front for Burnley. There is no denying the talent the 20-year-old brings to the table and while his current position might not be the right fit, he could get a look from Mourinho and his staff this summer as the Chelsea management try to figure out what the best situation would be for the young star to blossom.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek, 18 – M
While this list includes several players that Chelsea loaned out, Loftus-Cheek has yet to leave Stamford Bridge and he might not get the opportunity if he continues to progress. Loftus-Cheek is considered a long term solution to slide in to the Blues midfield as a creative anchor that has the potential to develop in to a star. Mourinho might choose to keep him close by rather than allow him to be loaned out.
