Frank Lampard's summer spending spree saw over £200m of talent arrive at Stamford Bridge ahead of the 2020/21 season.
With a host of new faces arriving at the club, Lampard has been juggling a large squad in the opening weeks of the campaign, with 33 players heading out on loan as the former England international looked to trim down options.
However, despite Chelsea sending an army of stars out on loan across the Premier League, the EFL and Europe’s major leagues, the club’s youth structure continues to provide a long-term conveyor belt of talent into the first team.
Ed Brand’s U18 squad is packed with promising stars, with four high scoring wins in their first seven U18 Premier League games of the season.
Despite losing 3-2 to Manchester City in the FA Youth Cup earlier this month, Brand’s side have been very impressive in league action, averaging just over three goals per game in 2020/21.
The road to the first team at Chelsea is a long one, and normally includes a loan spell or two, and we look at which players look most likely to be given a chance by Lampard in the near future.
Lewis Bate
Midfielder Bate moved up from Brand’s U18 side to the U23 squad this summer after impressing despite not turning 18 until October.
The England U19 international has been an assured presence in the U23 midfield, starting five of their eight games so far in 2020/21.
Whilst Lampard is well stocked for midfield options, his lack depth in the No.6 role due to Billy Gilmour’s long-term absence could provide a pathway for Bate to see some action.
Bryan Fiabema
Norwegian U19 international Fiabema joined Chelsea from Tromso in January after a strong rise through the youth ranks at his boyhood club.
He has quickly adapted to the demands of U23 football this season after his 2019/20 campaign was cut short by the cancelled season.
The 17-year old has shown a physical presence at a higher age group and his eye for goal has yielded four U23 Premier League goals, despite only starting twice.
In a similar vein to Bate, his most likely route will be based on first team injuries, but his goal record is certainly worth keeping an eye on.
Jude Soonsup-Bell
16-year old Soonsup-Bell has been the star man for Ground’s U18 squad this season with an incredible goal return in the early weeks of the season.
He scored four goals in Chelsea’s 8-1 U18 Premier League win over Leicester City last time out, and his instinctive eye for goal has caused a real stir with the underage set up.
With an age disadvantage to the likes of Fiabema and Bate, Soonsup-Bell’s possibly first team road will be even longer, but he looks almost certain to be fast tracked into the U23 squad in 2021 as he outgrows U18 level.
Harvey Vale
Vale has established himself as the key man in Ground’s U18 midfielder so far this season, alternating between a No.10 role and left midfield role.
The 17-year old has drawn comparisons with Gilmour due his calmness in possession and ability to glide through the phases of play in midfield.
However, as an added dimension to his game, he has a sharper eye for goal than Gilmour, with five goals already in league and cup action.
