If you look around European football now, so many former Chelsea youngsters can be spotted all over the place.
The Chelsea academy has been one of the very best in the business during recent decades in producing and developing young talents.
Without a doubt, Blues captain Reece James, 25, is the best recent example of the club’s ability to bring through future stars. He might be the most successful academy graduate at Chelsea since club legend John Terry.
Co-owner Todd Boehly loves the Chelsea academy and what it represents, so let’s hope its success continues for many more years to come.
Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images
Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images
Former Chelsea midfielder Tino Anjorin playing in Serie A with Empoli
Like James, Tino Anjorin is an extremely highly-rated talent to come out of Chelsea’s youth system. He first trained with the Blues at the age of six before eventually leaving them permanently to join Italian Serie A outfit Empoli in the 2024 summer transfer window.
Anjorin worked his way through the various age levels with Chelsea, plus he made five first-team appearances for them, including alongside James.
Back in 2020, Anjorin was shortlisted for the Golden Ball award for the world’s best young players. Meanwhile, Mark Schwarzer said Chelsea coaches raved about Anjorin back in 2021 when he was trying to breakthrough.
If you skip forwards to the present day, Anjorin is currently in his debut season with Empoli after joining them permanently from Chelsea last summer.
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The central midfielder may be disappointed not to score in his opening 17 appearances for the Italians, but he’s quietly make quite a positive impression at his new home.
Appearances (Starts) Goals Assists Pass accuracy Chances created Duels won Dribbled past Average rating
17 (13) 0 3 83.4% 16 66 9 6.82
Tino Anjorin for Empoli in Serie A during the 2024/25 season via FOTMOB
Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images
Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images
The brightest Chelsea academy graduates
During Chelsea’s trip on Thursday to play Copenhagen in the Conference League, they’ve included a few academy graduates in the 21-man squad.
Josh Acheampong (Defender)
Tyrique George (Winger)
Shim Mhueka (Striker)
They are three Blues youngsters we’re now seeing around the first-team group on a regular basis, especially Acheampong and George. It would be great if they can become long-term successes in West London.
Unfortunately, there are going to be numerous examples such as Anjorin that never quite make it at Stamford Bridge. For what it’s worth, he’s still got a Champions League medal to his name and a great education that has led him to Italy’s top division.