Picking out three youngsters on Chelsea’s books who could be set for a big year in 2025 is not easy, since the entire project is a venture of youth.
The Blues boast the youngest squad in the entire Premier League and, at time of writing, have not used a player older than 27 in the competition this season.
There are, however, a number of notable young players who have so far been only on the fringes of Enzo Maresca’s side, with their principal involvement coming in the Conference League and Carabao Cup.
Here are three who could be set to feature more prominently during the second half of the campaign…
Josh Acheampong
Considered one of the most highly-rated youngsters to emerge from Cobham in recent seasons, Acheampong signed a new long-term contract through to 2029 just before Christmas.
The 18-year-old had travelled to the US with the first team on their summer preseason tour and impressed Maresca before being frozen out of the squad for the best part of three months while his contract standoff continued.
With Reece James perennially struggling with injury and the Blues otherwise light at full-back, they could be forced into the market in January to bring in cover. However, Acheampong will hope he is trusted to pick up the slack instead.
Tyrique George
Like Acheampong, George has now been fully integrated into Maresca’s first-team, with a recent viral clip showing both players being given their own locker in the main dressing room.
George, who has featured regularly in the Conference League this season, would appear to have a tougher path into the first-team given Chelsea’s depth of options in wide positions.
However, Mykhailo Mudryk’s ongoing drugs case and a possible suspension if the Ukrainian is found guilty could open the door to the 18-year-old.
Filip Jorgensen
There are other youngsters - including the likes of Sam Rak-Sakyi coming through the Chelsea academy - but the other young player most likely to save Chelsea money in the short-term is import Jorgensen.
The 22-year-old goalkeeper, signed from Villarreal last summer, has impressed in the Conference League this season and calls are growing for him to be brought into the Premier League side ahead of Robert Sanchez.
For all Maresca’s public backing of the Spaniard, Chelsea surely know they must upgrade on Sanchez at some stage - but giving Jorgensen the chance to prove his salt in the second half of the season may change the picture by the summer window.