Chelsea Youth Cup Finalists Who Could Be Involved with the 1st Team Next Year

Chelsea's under-18s put themselves in a commanding position in the FA Youth Cup final this week, defeating Manchester City 3-1 in the first leg.

The final will be concluded at Stamford Bridge on Monday, April 27, but already Chelsea fans are looking beyond that where some players are concerned.

Such has been the dominance of the Blues at youth level these past few seasons, there is a clamour for some of their young stars to be promoted to Jose Mourinho's first team.

Next season will see Ruben Loftus-Cheek given a shot of becoming a Stamford Bridge regular, as Mourinho has revealed himself.

"I think next year [Loftus-Cheek will] play, not just to stay. [He will] stay and play," he said of the youngster, per the Guardian.

The 19-year-old captained Chelsea to Youth Cup success last year, making his senior debut this term in the Champions League.

From the Class of 2015, though, who can we expect to follow in Loftus-Cheek's footsteps and be drafted in by Jose Mourinho?

Bleacher Report takes a closer look.

Izzy Brown

Izzy Brown is already training with the Chelsea first team and was recently an unused substitute against Queens Park Rangers, making up the numbers with Loic Remy and Diego Costa out injured.

The striker was a part of the FA Youth Cup-winning team last season and has been integral this time out, too.

Brown also scored a brace in the recent UEFA Youth League final to make Chelsea European champions at that level.

Aged 18, this will be his last year of being eligible for the FA Youth Cup, but bigger and better things await him.

He's already showing himself to be a stand-out figure at youth level, and the natural progression is to go on and prove himself at senior level.

He's been on the radar for some time, and next season he should be integrated more by Jose Mourinho.

The YouTube clip above shows Brown in action this season against Leicester City, scoring a wonderful solo goal.

Dominic Solanke

Like Izzy Brown, Dominic Solanke is also training with the senior team at Chelsea and is set for a big future.

For the second season running, Solanke has passed the 30-goal mark in Chelsea colours, and he still has a season left where he is eligible for the under-18s.

Solanke was also on the scoresheet against Manchester City in the Youth Cup final, scoring Chelsea's third goal late on to cement their position in the tie.

With Loic Remy and Diego Costa well ahead of him in the pecking order, Solanke may well have his eye on being Chelsea's third-choice front man next term.

There are question marks surrounding Didier Drogba, so if the Ivorian retires from football—or leaves for one last challenge—there will be a place up for grabs.

There will be plenty of competition from other youth products at Stamford Bridge, but Solanke's scoring record shows he is more than capable.

He has also made his Chelsea debut this season, appearing as a substitute against Maribor in the Champions League.

Bleacher Report spoke to Solanke after that game, with the interview in the YouTube clip above.

Jay Dasilva

When we're talking of youngsters being involved in the Chelsea first team next season, that's not to suggest they should be playing regularly.

It's more about development, introducing these young players into an environment they are not familiar with and using that experience to develop their game.

Jay Dasilva is one of those who would certainly benefit.

He's been a big star for the under-18s and other age groups for Chelsea. He has a hint of Ashley Cole about him, attacking well on the left flank but equally proving a solid defensive asset.

Dasilva is a diminutive type, and as he steps up to the senior level, his height will always be a concern when it comes to matching the physicality of Premier League football.

The left-back has already impressed for Jose Mourinho, though, featuring during pre-season last year against the likes of Wycombe Wanderers and AFC Wimbledon.

He turns 17 on April 22, but despite his youth, Dasilva is showing signs of developing into an exceptional player.

Watch Dasilva in action for England in the YouTube clip above.

Charlie Colkett

Charlie Colkett isn't as well known as the three players we've already discussed here, but it doesn't mean he's any less talented.

He has a long way to go to fill such boots, but there's an air of Cesc Fabregas about him.

Colkett is the man who gets Chelsea moving in much the same way as Fabregas for the senior team. He's cultured, with a wicked left foot that allows him to stretch the game with his brand of long-range passing.

Players like Colkett are rare. They allow teams to dictate the pace of matches, and it's what he did this week against Manchester City, helping Chelsea dominate the first leg of the Youth Cup final for large parts.

He's a player who may well offer Chelsea plenty in the future.

Colkett's fine performance against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Youth Cup semi-final can be viewed on the YouTube clip above.

Ruben Sammut

We can't mention Charlie Colkett without discussing Ruben Sammut, his partner in crime in the midfield pivot of Chelsea's under-18s.

He plays the Nemanja Matic role and does it just as effectively at youth-team level.

Sammut is the Paul Simon to Colkett's Art Garfunkel; the Laurel to his team-mate's Hardy.

He grafts and allows Colkett the time and space to operate, working his magic.

Without a player like Sammut, others such as Colkett find life much more difficult in midfield.

Sammut may do more of the dirty work, but don't let that fool you. He can still play and his ability to do the simple things well shouldn't be overlooked.

He has a good football brain and understands where he must develop if he's to make the next step in his career, which is encouraging.

"We were winning in a small-sided game against [the senior players], but they got two goals back and then killed the game with their possession," he explained recently to Chelsea magazine, remembering a training session with the likes of John Terry and Co. during the international break.

"It showed us that it's all about the game management at that level. We have got the ability to replicate what they do, but we need to use our understanding of game management and develop that a little bit more."

Sammut can be seen in action in the YouTube clip above.

Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter: @garryhayes.