For Chelsea's youngsters, the usual path out of the academy is to head off on loan for at least a season to get first team football.
Unfortunately for many, that one season will inevitably turn into a second and some have bounced around from club to club and never get their chance in the first team.
However, there is a rare occasion that an impressive loan spell might turn into a Chelsea career, as exemplified by this season.
Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham, Reece James, Fikayo Tomori and Andreas Christensen are just a few who have come through the academy and then got their chance at Stamford Bridge.
And the next who could be on that progression is Conor Gallagher who has impressed throughout the season in the Championship.
While at Charlton Athletic during the first half of the season, the 19-year-old featured in 26 matches, netting six times and adding two assists.
In January, Gallagher made the switch to Swansea City and has already been a regular for the Swans, with three starts to his name, including one assist.
Chelsea are always hoping that their players will get a chance on loan to show what they can do, and Gallagher is actually leading the way in minutes played for youngsters.
According to CIES Football Observatory, Gallagher has the most amount of minutes out of any player born in the 2000s below the top five leagues.
The midfielder has played in 92 per cent of available minutes for both the Addicks and Swansea, five more than Eric Ebimbe of Le Havre.
Chelsea are hoping that last season's academy player of the year will continue to develop, and at present he has become the stand out of this year's loanees.
It's not as good news for everyone, however, with Ethan Ampadu seriously struggling for game time with RB Leipzig, having made just two substitute appearances in the Bundesliga.
The Wales international is seen as one of the big talents for the future, however he has not had the chance to shine in Germany.
