Chelsea have benefited greatly from their academy over a long period of time. When not developing players for the first team, the money generated has often proved vital in funding transfers for bigger name stars.
Although the methods involved and priorities towards bringing in talent from across the globe has been increasingly under scrutiny, the bottom line does not change. Even with Neil Bath and Jim Fraser moving on, Chelsea have a mighty fine selection of players coming through.
Alongside Levi Colwill and Reece James in the first team, Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George have made the permanent step up this season across the road at Cobham to the senior changing rooms. At Under-21s level, Filipe Coelho's side are fourth in Premier League 2 and have scored the third-most goals.
Chelsea's Under-18s team - managed by Hassan Sulaiman - are just about in the mix to win the southern division this season still. They reached the national final 12 months ago.
Both teams regularly play with a group including schoolboys and those pushed up the age groups. 16-year-olds have been seen to start for both XIs before playing for another team less than 24 hours later.
In the Conference League, Enzo Maresca has given debuts to six Cobham graduates this season, trusting them to carry out the work. The argument remains whether or not more could have been made of the group phase matches, and the overall use of the academy is still hotly debated.
However, what remains clear is that Cobham is still among the elite when it comes to supplying young players for the professional game. It is notable that Chelsea had six players named in England's Under-19s team for the international matches this week. In the Premier League, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ola Aina, Tariq Lamptey, Tino Livramento, Marc Guehi, Dominic Solanke, and Lewis Hall are thriving.
Elsewhere, Conor Gallagher and Ian Maatsen are both in the Champions League quarter-finals. Billy Gilmour is part of a title-chasing Napoli side, and the reach of those who have come through Cobham continues to grow. A few names to have (even briefly) come through are Jamal Musiala, Declan Rice, and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Here, football.london takes a look at the potential next Chelsea XI to come from Cobham.
Ted Curd (19)
Having spent the first half of the season at Hampton and Richmond, Curd is now the Under-21s goalkeeper again. It is always hard to judge young shot-stoppers, but Lucas Bergstrom has come through Cobham and has impressed on loan before as well.
Curd is one of several goalkeepers looking to make the breakthrough but in this position more than any, it is tough to predict at this stage.
Richard Olise (20)
Brother of Michael, Olise made the bench for Chelsea earlier this year as a reward for his performances and bravery. It wasn't certain that he would able to play football again after he suffered an illness several years ago. Olise is an attacking right-back.
Harrison Murray-Campbell (18)
Murray-Campbell went a step further than Olise and made his debut in December as a substitute. He is a tall centre-back with a great passing range. His frame makes him a standout for his age group and Murray-Campbell has played at Under-21s level regularly this season. He has captained the team as well.
Landon Emenalo (17)
The son of former Chelsea sporting director Michael. Emenalo is a versatile player able to play in defence and midfield. His afro hair and passing ability makes him look like David Luiz, such is composure.
Emenalo is a key fixture in the Under-18s side and has played for the Under-21s as well. He is an England Under-17s international but is also eligible for USA.
Ishe Samuels-Smith (18)
Signed from Everton in 2023, Samuels-Smith is one of the best young defenders in the country. He is able to play on the left or in the centre, making him ideal for teams who change system in possession, much like Marc Cucurella.
He is another with an excellent eye for a pass, both short and long. He is commanding aerially but graceful as well. As one of those on the outside of the first team he is knocking on the door and should get an opportunity soon.
Ato Ampah (18)
Another of the Conference League debutants. Ampah is absolutely rapid. His output is improving steadily in a team that scores a bucket load of goals but he is also still only 18, although his birthday comes in April.
Ampah has been called into senior training several times and is only likely to that he will keep on getting those chances if performances continue.
Sam Rak-Sakyi (19)
After making two-appearances in a week over the winter, Rak-Sakyi looked like ideal cover for Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez. His tricky style and calmness under pressure make him tough to get the ball off, and Rak-Sakyi looks ready for more senior football.
He could have done with a loan in January, and will surely be one of the priorities over the summer. Think Billy Gilmour when it comes to watching this midfielder.
Kiano Dyer (18)
Dyer is one of the brightest prospects in this team. He is a mixture of Rak-Sakyi and Samuels-Smith in that his ability on the ball is second to none, but he hasn't had the chance to show it yet.
Signed from West Brom, Dyer is able to do everything from dictating a game to shielding a defence despite his slight stature. He is one who really is deserving of game time and a serious look form Maresca.
Chelsea midfielder Kiano Dyer playing for the academy
Kiano Dyer has already been named in the matchday squad for Chelsea previously (Image: Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)
Ryan Kavuma-McQueen (16)
Kavuma-McQueen only turned 16 in January but is already making an impact for the Under-21s side. He is dangerous and threatens in the Under-18s on a scarily consistent basis now when played.
The winger is effectively Chelsea's answer to losing Rio Ngumoha to Liverpool over the summer. It is too early to imagine him breaking through but it wouldn't be surprising to see a reward with the odd senior training session.
Donnell McNeilly (19)
Chelsea's academy scorer supreme. McNeilly's contract standoff is the only thing stopping him from more of a chance. Whether that is fair or not is a conversation for another day.
What is not up for debate is McNeilly's talent and eye for goal. He got over 25 goals last season and is now doing it for the Under-21s as well. In another world he could easily have made his debut and been playing over the past few weeks with Marc Guiu and Nicolas Jackson out. Chelsea will be losing a very good player if he does go at the end of his contract in June.
Shumaira Mheuka (17)
From one perhaps nearing the end of their Chelsea journey to one at the start. Mheuka moved from Brighton to Chelsea in 2022 as a 14-year-old. He scored two against the Chelsea Under-17s side at just 13, indicating his talent.
Since then he has continued to rise up and up. He scored for the England Under-19s side and starts for the Chelsea Under-21s. He has played for the senior team and is the crown jewel in the academy right now.
Substitutes:
Here are some of the unlucky players not in the starting XI for now. Ollie Harrison (17) joined from Newcastle United as a midfielder and is impressing. He has a lot of strings to his bow.
Harrison McMahon (19), another central midfielder, has been one of the most in-form players of late in the Under-21s side. Harry McGlinchey (17) is getting a lot of attention for the Under-18s as a promising left-back.
Genesis Antwi (17) made his senior debut and become the first Swedish player to represent Chelsea earlier this month. He is among the top left-sided defensive players for his age.
Chizaram Ezenwata (16) is terrorising defences with Kavuma-McQueen as a versatile forward and is one to look out for. Ibrahim Rabbaj (16) has been dubbed the 'Moroccan Messi' for his size and dribbling. He has exploded onto the scene recently as it getting plenty of online coverage.
Charlie Holland (15) trained with the first-team when he was just 14. He is now stepping up into the Under-18s. As is the son of former Wigan Athletic midfielder Ben Watson, Reggie. He has started very well since moving from Crystal Palace last year.
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Chelsea flag prior the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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