Chelsea have widened their scouting network in a bid to snap up the best homegrown young talent, it has emerged.
The Daily Mail reports that the Blues have linked up with a top junior club in Newcastle in response to new rules following the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union.
Under the Brexit regulations, English clubs will no longer be allowed to sign players from abroad until they are 18.
Foreign signings will also have to meet a points-based criteria in order to be granted permission to play in this country.
Chelsea have now apparently established a relationship with Newcastle City Juniors, who are based at Newcastle United's former Benwell training ground, not far from the Magpies' St James' Park Stadium.
City Juniors apparently have 56 former players contracted to professional clubs.
It is said the arrangement will have to remain unofficial as Premier League rules state that clubs cannot have development centres more than an hour's drive from their academy base.
However, there is nothing to stop club scouting players in different areas.
Chelsea, who will have to wait until players are 14-years-old before they can sign them, have linked up with another junior club in Bristol and could do the same elsewhere in a bid to gain an edge over their rivals, according to the Mail.
The Blues are reported to have loaned a camera system to City Juniors so that they can record training and matches for "analysis and development purposes".
A Chelsea spokesman is quoted as saying: "Establishing and maintaining good relationships with grassroots clubs up and down the country is something we have always been keen on."
