Frank Lampard's arrival at Chelsea has led many to predict a changing of the guard in the Blues' first team.
With a transfer embargo over their heads, Lampard is seen as the perfect man to steer the club through a difficult spell and put a new emphasis on the youth coming through the academy at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea had 42 players out on loan last season, with many of those expecting to come back in an attempt to make an impression on the new boss, with no new signings coming in.
The likes of Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Callum Hudson-Odoi are likely to see their game time increase, but what of the other youngsters, who have yet to really leave a mark on the first team?
Arsenal legend Paul Merson is not sure they can cut it.
And in a damning revelation, he called out two of the brightest young stars that Chelsea fans have high hopes for as not being good enough.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Merson said: "When you are the manager and the younger players are not better than what you already have – which they are not, let’s be honest – are you going to play [Tammy] Abraham over [Olivier] Giroud?
"That’s the problem. Reece James will be special but is he going to take [Cesar] Azpilicueta’s place at moment? I don’t think so.
"If you are Frank and you’re throwing these youngsters in, you still need to finish in the top four. You can’t just bed them in with the season not going great and then all of sudden Frank gets the sack."
