Chelsea have been dealt a major blow to their future prospects and face surrendering silverware to Liverpool following Steven Gerrard's appointment at Aston Villa as head coach.
The former Reds midfielder has penned a three-and-a-half-year deal at Villa Park, bringing an end to his three-year tenure at Rangers.
Despite Gerrard being handed the mission of reinvigorating a side that sits two points off the relegation zone and has suffered five successive losses, Thomas Tuchel still faces a threat to his side's ambitions.
Roman Abramovich has transformed Chelsea into one of Europe's most feared sides by arming the Blues with significant financial power, but a large slice of the German boss' success has come from Cobham training ground.
Five Cobham graduates featured in Tuchel's European triumphs whilst Marina Granovskaia also raked in £97.2 million from academy-grown sales - but, with Gerrard at Villa, Chelsea's prospects are now at threat.
Mason Mount, one of five graduates to have featured in European finals for Chelsea this year, and Fikayo Tomori, who comprised over 25% of the Blues' outgoings this summer, both benefitted from breakthroughs under Frank Lampard at Derby Country.
The pair have flourished for their respective clubs and have each earned England debuts, playing large roles that factor into the west London side's recent success.
But, an opportunity like theirs is now absent for the next generation of Cobham youngsters and with Gerrard in a prominent Premier League job, Chelsea could soon see Liverpool overtake them.
No loan signings from Anfield have hit the rumour mill yet but Gerrard's presence at Villa and history working in the Liverpool setup offers the Reds a Premier League gateway for their youngsters.
Lampard was able to do the same by funnelling the likes of Mount and Tomori into first-team Championship action, but now Chelsea's title rivals have keys to doing so at Premier League level.
If a Liverpool player - academy or signed - is granted the chance to impress on loan under Gerrard in the top-flight then the experience will likely propel them above the Blues' crop of talent.
Chelsea have been handed a mere silver lining following reports claiming that Frank Lampard is set to be appointed announced as Norwich City boss, according to talkSPORT.
The general consensus shared among most fans is that the Canaries will be relegated from the Premier League.
Following Lampard's success with Cobham graduates at Pride Park, Gerrard's appointment may not be as damning as expected with a door into the Championship potentially opening again.
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