Defender Josh Acheampong, drafted in to plug a gap at the back after Levi Colwill’s injury, is seizing his moment and making a case as a regular starter, writes Tim Harrison.
The 19-year-old, who towers at 6ft 3in, scored his first goal up in Nottingham at the weekend for the club he joined as an eight-year-old – a firm header past keeper Matz Sels from a Pedro Neto cross – as the Blues defeated troubled Forest.
The 3-0 win, with additional goals from Neto and Reece James (on his 200th Chelsea appearance), also saw off ex-Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou.
He was sacked – not as Blues fans had chanted "in the morning" – but within half an hour of the final whistle.
"I’m very happy for Josh that he could score his first goal for the club," said manager Enzo Maresca after the game, having clambered down from the stand where he had sat following his recent red card.
"He’s a good player, but he has to continue to work hard.
"For sure he’s going to be an important player for this club."
But those disciplinary issues continue.
Chelsea have been shown red cards in five of their last six games, with the pattern continuing in Nottingham when Malo Gusto became the latest to take an early walk down the tunnel.
"It’s something that we can do better, but I’m not concerned," said Maresca when questioned.
Yet he may have to show some concern if the record doesn’t improve.
Chelsea are not only rock bottom of the Premier League’s fair play table with an embarrassing 29 points, counting one for each yellow and five per red, but they are also bottom if you combine the fair play stats for the past three years.
The explanation?
Pundits have suggested youthful exuberance and inexperience is to blame, with Maresca’s squad against Forest on Saturday being the youngest in the entire Premier League so far this season.
After midweek European action, the Blues host Sunderland this weekend, hoping to have 11 players on the pitch at the end to celebrate a positive result.