Chelsea's academy at Cobham is still producing some top talent.
Having developed Reece James, Levi Colwill and Trevoh Chalobah for Mauricio Pochettino’s first team, there is real excitement about the latest crop coming through the ranks.
Here, Standard Sport assesses the young Chelsea stars for whom there are high hopes.
Alex Matos (midfielder, 19 years old)
Joined from Norwich last summer and has been fast-tracked into the first-team squad.
Matos was supposed to spend this season with the Under-21s but has been picked out by Mauricio Pochettino and excelled in training amid the injury crisis at Stamford Bridge.
He has already made two first-team appearances, playing out of position on the wing in late cameos against Fulham and Blackburn.
In his more natural midfield position, Matos has great combination of intelligence, physicality and aggression.
Leo Castledine (midfielder, 18 years old)
Castledine is rapidly emerging as the star of Chelsea’s current academy group.
He was named on the bench against Blackburn in the Carabao Cup at the start of the month and has played in attacking midfield, central midfield and on the left wing. He has also been known to play centre-back or full-back in a bid to develop the talented all-rounder further.
Castledine’s dad Stewart played for Wimbledon in the Premier League and he has represented England up to Under-18 level.
Somto Boniface (defender, 17 years old)
Boniface is one of the best young defenders in the country and this season and been impressing on the left wing.
A member of the England Under-18s squad, that position switch suits his game and allows him to contribute more goals and assists with his dynamic forward runs.
Notable mentions for…
Defender Ishe Samuels-Smith, a £4million summer signing from Everton.
He is in the England Under-17s squad with fellow defenders Josh Acheampong and Harrison Murray-Campbell and goalkeeper Ted Curd, who is on loan at Hashtag United. Midfielders Michael Golding and Reiss Denny are also in the squad.
Winger Tyrique George is arguably the most in-form player currently with his goals and assists for the Under-18s, leading to chances in the age group above.
