Scouting Chelsea's Rising Star Jake Clarke-Salter

One door closes, another opens. Well, it's sort of the case at Chelsea.

Just as John Terry's time at Stamford Bridge comes to an end, the Blues seemingly have another homegrown defensive gem on their hands in Jake Clarke-Salter.

The 18-year-old is making big noises in the Chelsea academy. He was part of the FA Youth Cup and UEFA Youth League successes last term, and this year he is captaining the under-18s as they attempt to repeat their domestic success from 12 months ago.

Unlike some of his team-mates, Clarke-Salter is homegrown in every sense. He hasn't been signed from overseas or another English club. He's been at Chelsea since under-nine level, being nurtured through the ages by the club's coaches.

So can he go on to emulate Terry? What are his strengths and weaknesses? Will he be appearing in the first-team anytime soon?

Join Bleacher Report as we take a closer look at Chelsea's rising star.

Style

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

Comparisons with Terry are always going to be a part of any young player's rise at Chelsea. He's the only academy player who has established himself at the club in the past two decades or so, which means it's only natural his name crops up. When the young pretender is a defender, it makes it even more so.

Clarke-Salter may share a Chelsea heritage with Terry, but the comparison between both players and their style of play is much different.

Terry has been celebrated for his physical and mental qualities over the years. He's been a leader, a giant figure at the back for Chelsea whose presence has been felt by most attackers who have come up against him.

IAN KINGTON/Getty Images

He's more than capable in possession, but it's his ability as an out-and-out defender that has always seen him receive the plaudits.

Clarke-Salter is showing signs of a similar ability in his game. He reads play well and isn't shy of a tackle. In terms of what we expect of him as a player, however, he's probably one who would have partnered Terry had their careers run side by side, rather than being a direct replacement.

In that sense—if we're comparing with Chelsea players—Clarke-Salter has more of a look of Ricardo Carvalho about him. He's confident bringing the ball out from the back and continues to show in the junior ranks that he can play that more continental style which is becoming ever more vital in modern football.

Of course, he has much to do in his young career if he's going to come close to emulating what Terry or Carvalho have achieved, but the similarities are there with the latter.

Clarke-Salter is very much a product of the modern look Chelsea have to their playing style when we consider the younger teams. There's the likes of Charlie Colkett—cultured, intelligent players—coming through in mdifield and Clarke-Salter complements that from the back.

International

Adam Nurkiewicz/Getty Images

It's not enough that Clarke-Salter is captaining Chelsea's youth team at present—he's also wearing the armband for the England under-19s.

That says plenty, with the England coaches showing faith in the defender's ability to lead his team-mates and be the figurehead of a side at the very highest level.

It's a hint at what he can offer a team. Clarke-Salter isn't just any other player, he's one who plays with authority and marshals those around him.

Being a captain for both club and country demonstrates he has the character and mentality to conduct himself on the pitch, not shying away from responsibility and expectation that comes with the armband.

Winning Pedigree

Ian Walton/Getty Images

A big question asked of young players at the highest level in the modern game is whether or not they can live with the weight of expectation that follows them.

It's not just about talent, but rather demonstrating a capacity to win matches and trophies consistently to endure longevity.

At 18, we're playing a guessing game with players and their ability to do that. The difference between football in the junior ranks and seniors is massive. That said, we can look to pointers.

In Clarke-Salter's case, he stands on the brink of achieving something very special this season. With two FA Youth Cup winners' medals already to his name, he has the chance of making it three in a row.

Back-to-back titles have been achieved down the years, but not since Manchester United's famed youth side of the 1950s has a club won three or more in a row.

With players such as Duncan Edwards in their ranks, United actually won five on the bounce from 1953 to 1957, so Chelsea have a long way to go if they're to emulate that.

As captain of the under-18s, Clarke-Salter is leading Chelsea's charge to at least pulling off a feat that hasn't been achieved in over 60 years.

From playing a year ahead of himself, the defender won the title in 2014, while he was also in the side that lifted the FA Youth Cup last year.

That winning mentality we hear so much about is being instilled in Clarke-Salter now. He's developing as a player who isn't used to losing matches or finals. He hasn't been a passenger in this success story, either. He's a big part of what Chelsea are achieving in youth football at home and abroad.

United's side of the 1950s is still celebrated today, so using their success at youth level as a barometer, Clarke-Salter is showing he's on the right path and has the capabilities to elevate himself to the senior ranks.

Appearance Record

Clarke-Salter has been a key part of Chelsea's junior teams in recent seasons, making over 50 appearances in 2014 and 2015 combined.

Below are his appearance stats from the past two seasons.

	U/18 Apps	U/18 Goals	U/19 Apps	U/19 Goals	U/21 Apps	U/21 Goals	Total (Gosls)
2013/14	14	2	0	0	0	0	14 (2)
2014/15	20 +3	0	6 +4	0	10 +1	0	36 +8
Total	34 +3	2	6 +4	0	10 +1	0	50 +8

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