Chelsea’s title winning team has been considered as one of the most complete teams in world football but in the Tavern we have listed five players who we think are good enough to break in to the first team.
Jose Mourinho in previous years has been known as a manager who moves on quickly, club after club, but he has made it clear in recent weeks, he is here for the long haul this time round.
Which means he will be planning for the future and with FFP regulations now playing a part, he will have no other choice but to look at the Chelsea academy.
He has shown this season that he is willing to give his young players a chance, with Nathan Ake frequently with the first team squad whilst in the latter stages of the season Ruben Loftus-Cheek has proved his worth, partnering Nemanja Matic in midfield.
Another highlight of their title winning season, is the rise of Kurt Zouma. The out and out defender has shown he is capable of fulfilling a role in the centre of midfield as well as having the quality to step in for Gary Cahill at times this season.
So with the Special One here to stay, we look at who we think are the next players to put on the blue shirt.
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PRESS THE IMAGE OF JOSE MOURINHO TO SEE THE FIVE CHELSEA PLAYERS
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Dominic Solanke
This striker, who was tipped to succeed at the Blues by former hero Tore Andre-Flo, caught the attention of everyone in the Tavern last season after he banged in 20 goals in 25 games for the under 18s.
The 17-year-old has huge potential and Mourinho has even said himself, if Solanke doesn’t get an England call up during his tenure, he would consider it a failure, and vowed that he would train with the first team at times this season.
He featured on the bench in the Premier League whilst Diego Costa was injured but he was actually handed his debut in the Champions League against Maribor for Oscar, making him the youngster player ever to feature in the competition.
He has represented England up to Under 18 level so far and next season he could really kick on, with Costa’s fitness being uncertain, he could get called upon, depending on who Mourinho brings in this summer.
Patrick Bamford
Well where do we start with this young man?
He was recently awarded title as the Championship’s best player following a successful loan spell with the Play Off finalists, Middlesbrough, which saw him 19 goals in all competitions.
He dropped the hint recently that he will not be at the Riverside next season, but this does not clear up his future by any means.
Because he will either get loaned out within the Premier League or Mourinho will award his successful season with a chance in the first team.
He is capable of either leading the line or operating in one of the three positions behind the striker, meaning he can be utilised in plenty of positions by the Special One.
Although the only problem for Mourinho, is that Bamford is now in the shop window, so if he does not play him, then a lot of clubs will come knocking on the door.
Isaiah Brown
This forward, who can also operate on the wing, was also given a taste of first team action this season, after he made an emotional return back to the Hawthorns.
Brown who has one appearance for both the Baggies and the Blues has clear potential and he is another one of those of players who Mourinho expects to become an England international during his time as manager.
He only signed for Chelsea in 2013 and the 18-year-old has shown great maturity to have already made his debut for the champions.
Not only has he progressed well at club level but he has also represented the Three Lions with the Under 16s, 17s and 19s.
He has a hard task of making it as a wideman at Chelsea with so many world-class players at Mourinho’s disposal, but should the Blues stay
in each competition next season, then he could well be called upon with the amount of games.
Lewis Baker
Baker, who was named in the first team squad for this season, has been loaned out to Sheffield Wednesday and Milton Keynes.
He was initially called back from his brief loan spell at Wednesday and he only managed four appearances for the Owls, but Mourinho clearly regards the youngster as he got him back at Stamford Bridge as cover.
The 20-year-old makes up the third and final English youngster who Mourinho is planning on moulding into an England international.
Baker is clearly special talent and has caught the eye of other clubs elsewhere after he was named the NextGen Series Player of the Tournament in 2013 and then the Chelsea Young Player of the Year last season.
Jamal Blackman
The goalkeeper, who was also loaned out to Middlesbrough, failed to make an appearance for the Championship side, but this does not mean his future is in doubt at Stamford Bridge.
Blackman first joined with the Under 13’s and has since risen through the ranks and he was first involved in a Premier League game in 2011, after he was named in the squad to face Arsenal.
He began to train regularly with 2011-12 first-team squad, whilst he was an ever present for the Under 18s at the time, as they went on to win the FA Youth Cup.
Surprisingly, the 20-year-old has a Champions League medal and Europa League medal despite not making an appearances, this is because he was named in both squads.
And with Petr Cech expected to leave Chelsea in the search for first team football, it is possible that Blackman could be used as Thibaut Courtois’ number two.
