Four Chelsea youngsters from Andy Myers' development squad left the Blues on free transfers this summer as they embark on new progression paths eyeing the pinnacle of European football - a Champions League honour.
Edouard Mendy, who won the Men's UEFA goalkeeper of the year, was handed the golden glove award as he pioneered the Blues to European glory just seven years after being made unemployed.
The Senegal international, who kept nine clean sheets from 12 games in the Champions League last season, has become a beacon of inspiration for Chelsea's next generation of talent who are yet to make their breakthrough.
Mendy's rise to stardom despite the rocky start to his career has given a voice to the handful of Cobham graduates that have ventured away from west London this summer that haven't hit the national headlines like the Conor Gallagher's and Armando Broja's of the academy.
The quartet of departures saw Jack Wakley join Wycombe, Luke McCormick join AFC Wimbeldon, Jon Russel join Huddersfield and Marcel Lewis join Union SG on free transfers, despite all of which having captained Chelsea in some capacity in under-18s or development squad bar the latter.
They have all pursued new opportunities at a similar age and level to when Mendy when he was struck with unemployment, indicating to the youngsters that they can still weave themselves onto the international stage.
At the age of 22-years-old Mendy left AS Cherbourg - a fifth-tier side in France - in pursuit of playing at a higher standard of football before his next move was even confirmed under the ill-visioned tenure of a former agent, which the Blues goalkeeper revealed almost ended his career.
A potential move to an unnamed EFL League One side was lined up to welcome Mendy onboard, thinking that he had taken the next step in his career - much like what Wakley and McCormick have done.
However, the move didn't materialise and Mendy was left unemployed, certain that nothing would slip through his hands again as Mendy spoke to Goal about overcoming the roadblocks in his career.
Chelsea's phenom shot-stopper described how he considered taking his gloves off once and for all.
"When one remains unemployed for a year, even with the best will in the world, doubt sets in," said the Blues' number 16. "We think a lot; we try to weigh the pros and cons, to say to ourselves what is the best solution."
"I was going to be the father of a family and real questions arose [about my future in the game]. This is where my entourage played a major role."
Mendy continued, admitting that he could've quit if he wasn't surrounded by the right people highlighting the importance of family to the quartet of Chelsea departures this summer.
"If I had been badly surrounded, I would surely have stopped football," he said. "I cannot thank my family enough, my cousins. All the people who didn’t give up on me."
The club has let a few high potential players leave this window. Who do you predict to be the one they regret letting go? Follow our new Chelsea Fan Brand Trends Writer Jake on Twitter to get involved in the discussion and give us your thoughts in the comments section below.
