We take a look at why success for Chelsea at academy level is so important for the future of the England team
Chelsea have had no less than 25 youth prospects called up recently by England for their respective age groups, between U16 and U21 level, making the Blues’ Cobham Training Centre effectively a second home for the England international set-up.
Roman Abramovich, after initially putting money into the club for short-term gain, has worked hard behind the scenes to ensure there was a plethora of talent coming through the academy.
In doing that, it has allowed Chelsea to scope out the talent from around the country and put them all in one place, which judging by the amount of England representatives seems to be going well.
Over this past international break, Chelsea had, not including members of the senior England team, 13 players away with England team on international duty from Under-16 level to the Under-21s. On top of that, Chelsea have had another 12 players called up recently, but for whatever reason not included into the latest squad.
The Players
Under 16s:
Jared Thompson – goalkeeper – aged 15
Trevoh Chalobah – defender – aged 15
Dujon Sterling – defender – aged 15
Cole Dasilva – defender – aged 15
Mason Mount – midfielder – aged 15
Martell Taylor-Crossdale – striker – aged 14
Under 17s:
Jay Dasilva – defender – aged 16
Jacob Maddox – defender – aged 16
Charlie Wakefield – defender aged 16
Under 18s:
Jake Clarke-Salter – defender – aged 17
Dominic Solanke – striker – aged 17
Tammy Abraham – striker – aged 17
Under 19s:
Ola Aina – defender – aged 18
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – midfielder – aged 18
Alex Kiwomya – striker – aged 18
Isaiah Brown – striker – aged 17
Under 20s:
Fankaty Dabo – goalkeeper – aged 19
Jordan Houghton – defender – aged 19
John Swift – midfielder – aged 19
Lewis Baker – midfielder – aged 19 *called up to under-21 level last international break
Under 21s:
Jamal Blackman – goalkeeper – aged 21
Todd Kane – defender – aged 21
Nathaniel Chalobah – midfielder – aged 19
Josh McEachran – midfielder – aged 21
Patrick Bamford – striker – aged 21
Chelsea supporters will be strongly familiar with some of the names, like Nathaniel Chalobah, who has 21 caps at Under-21 level despite being 19, and Dominic Solanke, who Mourinho has personally earmarked for an international future. There are some names in the squad that will be new to the majority of fans, especially those in a younger age group.
At the same time, with the amount of quality the Blues have in their ranks, comes great responsibility. As they do possess more England youth internationals than any other side in the country, it’s only natural they will be under the microscope more than the other sides in how they develop players and where these unknown names are in five years time.
Last season, Chelsea’s Under-21 side were dominant in their domestic competitions and won all the trophies on offer. It was the first huge step in challenging the likes of Barcelona’s La Masia academy in England and, if they continue to persevere with current process, there is no reason the England team can’t reap the same rewards.
The Chelsea coaching staff are now sitting on a gold mine of talent, and if progression goes to according to plan, the England team could be in a great position come the 2018, 2022 World Cups.
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