"It will be one of the things we will look at strongly. But it can be misconstrued at times, our eyes will be on that side of the building, and if you can push yourself to the first team, then we will look to bridge that gap."
Those were the words of Frank Lampard in his first press conference after being named Chelsea's new head coach in July 2019.
As the club faced a transfer ban from FIFA and the recent sale of Eden Hazard, the following season could have been a complete write-off, many predicting the Blues to finish as low as 10th.
This series of events all colliding at once led some rivals to assume Chelsea's place at the top of the game was in jeopardy, and the Londoners would soon spiral down the table.
In the three years since, the opposite has actually happened. Although not reaching the summit of the Premier League, the capture of a second Champions League crown in 2021 brought a signal of Chelsea's sudden resurgence under Thomas Tuchel.
Both Lampard and Tuchel in the previous two seasons had maintained a place within the Champions League spots and continued the club's tradition of reaching cup finals.
A major boost to Chelsea's ability to respond to a difficult period without major collapse has been down to the club's incredible academy.
Lampard enthused the first team with a class of players that sparked a new vision under his youthful coaching. Supporters who had been disenfranchised the previous season were engaged, and even with setbacks, the feeling around Stamford Bridge was one of hope.
By the time one of those academy breakthroughs in Mason Mount played the winning pass in a Champions League final, the concept of Cobham being a viable and brilliant source for talent was an accepted idea, rather than the outlandish fringe fantasy it seemed before.
Now, as we head towards the summer of 2022, another difficult set of circumstances face Chelsea.
The UK Government's sanctions on owner Roman Abramovich after Russia's invasion of Ukraine put the club on a potential path to destruction in the worst-case scenario.
The best case is a swift sale via the Government's approval to several interested parties. That would save the club from financial armageddon and clarify its long-term future.
What should remain, though, in that best case, is the full use and trust of Cobham. Even as recently as Thursday evening at Carrow Road, on one of the bleakest days in Chelsea's 117-year history, it was those who had come via Cobham who offered some of the moments of excitement.
Mason Mount delivered the corner that another graduate, Trevoh Chalobah, would head in to open the scoring. Mount himself sublimely curling an effort into the top corner before running away to the travelling support.
A knee-slide, a beaming smile and a pointed kiss of the crest.
These players have consistently shown their spirit and a path to continued improvement, supplemented by talent bought outside the club.
The best of Cobham have been compared with Manchester United's famous Class of 92', including legends like David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, and Paul Scholes.
A legacy that has remained at United, marinating a consistent homegrown presence in every matchday squad since.
In the eyes of Chelsea supporters, Mount, Andreas Christensen and Reece James all wrote themselves into club folklore with their involvement on the pitch in Porto on a night fans will take joy from forever.
The next generation of stars – Conor Gallagher, Armando Broja, Levi Colwill, Billy Gilmour, Tino Anjorin, Ian Maatsen, Harvey Vale and more could all supplement next season's squad with uncertainty over what the club will be able to do this summer.
Whether irony or not, 2019 proved such a groundbreaking year when Chelsea was forced to look in the mirror and search for answers internally.
In 2022, that same resolution can hopefully provide more hope.
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