5 Chelsea Youngsters with Best Chance of Breaking Through in 2015
People have often criticised Chelsea for not promoting from within. Having Roman Abramovich's millions at their disposal, the temptation to buy finished articles—rather than cultivate their own—has been too strong to resist.
Ironically, Abramovich has not only invested in first-team talent but in youth development. Chelsea's academy is home to an abundance of England's burgeoning stars, and as they come of age, a few prospects are knocking on Jose Mourinho's proverbial door.
One could argue that since John Terry no academy player has been quality enough to make the jump into competitive Chelsea ranks, but this is an impossible argument today. They only need an opportunity to prove themselves; with Mourinho looking to win every competition, however, the chances to play youth are extremely limited.
Kurt Zouma, Nathan Ake and Andreas Christensen are the only current under-21s in Mourinho's first team; the rest are plying or honing their craft elsewhere. Chelsea's loan system allows some players regular minutes across Europe—and certainly the likes of Thibaut Courtois would boast its veracity—but playing for Chelsea is normally the ultimate dream.
More than five youngsters could play well in a Chelsea shirt with Premier League badges, but here are the first five names who deserve their chance in 2015/16.
Tomas Kalas, 21
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Handed his first Premier League start versus Liverpool last April, Tomas Kalas gave Jose Mourinho an expert performance at Anfield. It looked like the start of possibly a first-team place, but after he started the last game of the 2013/14 season versus Cardiff City, Chelsea loaned Kalas to Germany.
After a disastrous spell with Bundesliga side FC Cologne, the Czech Republic international was rescued this January and sent to Middlesborough. Starting two games for the Smoggies, Chelsea's 21-year-old defender has aided his new club to four points.
He's able to play centre-back and right-back; were his Middlesbrough loan successful, a player with his versatility could spell 30-year-old Filipe Luis, 30-year-old Gary Cahill, 31-year-old Branislav Ivanovic or 35-year-old John Terry next season.
The more developed Kalas would also allow Chelsea to loan Andreas Christensen, which would further his progression, while giving the Blues improved depth in defensive areas.
Patrick Bamford, 21
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Formerly an assistant manager with Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid, current Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka has used his Chelsea connection wisely. Kenneth Omeruo, Jamal Blackman and Tomas Kalas have played for his side this season, but the best prospect Karanka has procured is striker Patrick Bamford.
The 21-year-old forward has scored seven goals in 21 Championship appearances in 2014/15.
Didier Drogba holds the key for Bamford next season; were the Ivorian legend to hang up his boots this summer, Diego Costa would hold his first-team place, with Loic Remy moving to his deputy—which leave the third slot conceivably open.
Chelsea's usual solution would be to find the market's next-best available striker and loan Bamford back to the Championship. However, times are changing in west London; wanting to comply with UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations, they might consider a promising youth talent to replace Drogba rather than spend £15-25 million.
Nathaniel Chalobah, 20
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Nathaniel Chalobah has played for England's U21 side since he was 18, appeared in 69 Championship matches—scoring eight goals—and was once on the Chelsea bench at age 15, but he was consistently left out of Sean Dyche's Burnley side.
We can assume Chalobah abruptly turned sour or being under pressure to stay in the Premier League makes managers more likely to play who and what they know.
The latter is probably more accurate; one might say Chelsea slipped in their evaluation of Chalobah matching Burnley's needs.
Where Chalobah continues his football this year appears a mystery, as FIFA regulations scuttled his proposed move to French side FC Girondins de Bordeaux, via Peter O'Rourke of ESPN FC. In any event, the 20-year-old will have the summer to impress Jose Mourinho, and one might expect the midfielder to remain at Stamford Bridge for the 2015/16 season.
Learning from Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic would be an invaluable education—as seen with Kurt Zouma, John Terry and Gary Cahill.
Lewis Baker, 19
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Sheffield Wednesday have a way with on-loan talent. Both Connor Wickham and Ross Barkley found first-team football at Hillsborough, and Lewis Baker is hoping to better their class with his move this January.
Owls manager Stuart Gray hailed Chelsea's 2014 Young Player of the Year a "fantastic individual player." Having already appeared twice for Wednesday—by season's conclusion—Baker could be ready to fight for a place in Chelsea's first-team come summer 2015.
Promoting the young Englishman to his first-team this year, given injuries, form of preferred options or squad rotation, Jose Mourinho might see Baker as a better option starting in 2015/16.
The more realistic scenario for the 19-year-old, though, is spending two years on loan; however, since he possesses all the tools a goalscoring midfielder requires, were his levels to rise over the next 12 months, don't be shocked to see Baker in a Chelsea shirt by the latter half of next season.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek, 18
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Chelsea consider loaning many of their youth talents—even John Terry spend some time at Nottingham Forest—but one wonders if Ruben Loftus-Cheek (who turns 19 this Friday) will be allowed to leave Stamford Bridge.
It would seem, given evidence shown both in Chelsea's U21s and his brief cameo versus Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League, Loftus-Cheek is merely waiting on an epiphany from Jose Mourinho for his first-team slot to be cemented.
He is the long-term solution for replacing Nemanja Matic in Chelsea's midfield, and the 2015/16 season should be the commencement of Loftus-Cheek's education.
In the same way Kurt Zouma and Nathan Ake have been allowed to play select Capital One Cup and FA Cup matches this season, Chelsea's projected midfield anchor should receive similar treatment.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase.com where not noted.
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