Chelsea vs. Fulham: Youngsters Will Highlight Chelsea's Bright Future

Chelsea and Fulham will use this Carling Cup contest as a chance to blood some youngsters. In Chelsea's case it will give them a chance to show off the promise of their future.

According to ibtimes.com, Andres Villas-Boas is set to play Josh McEachran, Romelu Lukaku, Oriol Romeu and Ryan Bertrand.

I'll be keying on two of these players in particular. McEachran and Bertrand both figure to play prominent roles for Chelsea sooner rather than later. And both have the talent to bring fans to their feet.

Josh McEachran

McEachran has prodigious talent. He made his Chelsea debut last year on September 15th, at just 17 years and six months of age. He came on as a substitute midfielder in a 4-1 away Champions League win in Zilina.

McEachran made his Premier League debut ten days later. Chelsea saw enough of the youngster last season to reward him with a five-year deal this past summer. It was money well spent. He has an all-around game and shows flashes of play making brilliance.

Ryan Bertrand

Like McEachran, Bertrand was also given a new deal this past summer. Chelsea inked this 22-year-old left-back to a four-year deal.

2011 marked Bertrand's return to Chelsea after a series of loans. He made his debut on April 20 of 2011. Bertrand has been used sparingly as a backup to Ashley Cole. He has played sparingly, but he has shown flashes of competence in his brief moments on the field.

His pin-point passing is going to serve him well throughout his career. I expect he will put that on full display for this contest.

This match is going to be captivating because of the insertion of these youngsters. Fulham will likely counter with their own youngsters, but as this match will prove, their cupboards are not as loaded as Chelsea's.