Conor Gallagher, Levi Colwill, Billy Gilmour, Armando Broja, Ethan Ampadu, Harvey Vale and Tino Anjorin are the fresh-faced academy hopefuls currently out in the USA training with the first-team squad ahead of the Blues' pre-season games against Club America, Charlotte and Arsenal.
This Sunday will see Chelsea step out on the pitch in Las Vegas for the first warm-up game across the pond with Thomas Tuchel starting to experiment with his squad.
There will be hopes from fans in attendance that Raheem Sterling will play some part after his transfer from Manchester City was confirmed on Wednesday evening. But in addition to that, the Cobham talent who could remain a part of Tuchel's squad are of interest to see how they perform.
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Our team of Chelsea writers at football.london, Anita Abayomi, Scott Trotter, Daniel Childs and Bobby Vincent have come together to share their thoughts on the academy player they are most excited to watch and hope to see Tuchel give a chance to in the coming weeks.
Anita Abayomi: Callum Hudson-Odoi
I know it sounds like a broke record at this point but Callum Hudson-Odoi needs a chance. A chance to show exactly what he's capable of. Every single preseason, we see the kind of magic that he can perform since Maurizio Sarri. It's not great seeing so much potential go to waste on a yearly basis, whether it's down to injury or just lack of opportunity.
Hopefully this time around, after a long break with injury, the 21-year-old is able to prove himself to the boss once again. Especially with speculation surrounding Eddie Howe's plans to bring Hudson-Odoi over to Newcastle.
Scott Trotter: Billy Gilmour
There are a number of Chelsea loanees and youngsters that could thrive in the first team environment, there's no getting away from it. Immediate attention probably turns to the group who have now got a week of pre-season training under their belts. The likes of Levi Colwill, Tino Anjorin and Harvey Vale will be chomping at the bit to prove themselves capable of making the first team squad. With the Blues' lack of defenders and Colwill's early preparations, he stands out ready to make a big impact in the first friendly against Club America.
Billy Gilmour's future might be more precarious than many, even after the Blues took up an option to extend his deal by a year. The Scotland international has a lot of competition in the centre of the pitch but, despite a difficult loan spell, has already shown he can operate to a high level in Chelsea colours. He may not have the versatility of the likes of Ethan Ampadu but has shown he can almost be plugged in to play, and if provided the opportunity could send a swift reminder of his talents.
Daniel Childs: Ethan Ampadu
It is hard to choose one here given I think several could (and should) get chances over the next few weeks. But I'm gonna go with the forgotten man in Ethan Ampadu.
His reputation was slightly hurt by poor loans that in reflection, could have been the best thing for his development, playing in three different countries over the past three years with RB Leipzig, Sheffield United and Venezia.
His greatest strength is his versatility, playing almost everywhere for Venezia last season, central defence, out wide and impressing in a deeper midfield area, a position Chelsea fans have been hoping to see a refresh in this summer. Some of his numbers from 2021/22 speak to a potential hidden gem who could prove very valuable to Tuchel should the pursuit of Declan Rice be paused for another year.
Bobby Vincent: Conor Gallagher
Gallagher enjoyed a superb season on loan at Crystal Palace and he's earned the opportunity to at least be looked at by Tuchel. There are plenty of interested clubs keeping an eye on Gallagher's situation so it would be great to see what the midfielder can offer Chelsea in pre-season.
The centre of midfield is a difficult place to establish yourself at Stamford Bridge with the likes of Mateo Kovacic, Jorginho and N'Golo Kante all established first-team members. However, Gallagher offers Tuchel something that the rest do not: a goal threat.
Gallagher can prove himself as a box-to-box midfielder for Tuchel. Pre-season is always the perfect time to prove yourself to the manager – and it's no different for Gallagher this time around.
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