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Chelsea winter evaluation: The youth to consider for next season

By Travis Tyler

CARDIFF, WALES - OCTOBER 13: Ethan Ampadu of Wales in action during the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier between Wales and Croatia at Cardiff City Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
CARDIFF, WALES - OCTOBER 13: Ethan Ampadu of Wales in action during the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier between Wales and Croatia at Cardiff City Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 30: Daniel James of Manchester United shoots as Marc Guehi of Chelsea attempts to block during the Carabao Cup Round of 16 match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on October 30, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 30: Daniel James of Manchester United shoots as Marc Guehi of Chelsea attempts to block during the Carabao Cup Round of 16 match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on October 30, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

The fullbacks

Given how important fullbacks are to Lampard’s tactics, it is understandable that it would take something special for them to have an opportunity. It feels like the academy full backs have been ready to go for years, but only Reece James has successfully made the full jump and he needed a loan to do so.

That being said, given the left back issues Lampard has had, it is shocking that Ian Maatsen has not played more of a role this season. Sure, he is pretty small for a Premier League player at the moment, but he was fantastic at the youth World Cup and is seemingly ready for the leap.

Dujon Sterling is a harder one to see. Antonio Conte seemed to like him, but since then he has been on loan at Wigan and he has failed to live up to James’ reputation. He would also, like Tariq Lamptey, have James ahead of him. That can be a seemingly insurmountable obstacle.

The likelihood any of them stay: Maatsen has a chance, but it may require both Marcos Alonso and Emerson clearing way for a new left back ahead of Maatsen. It is hard to see Sterling having a full shot next season.

The center backs

Because of how the academy develops players, many of them seem to be naturals in central positions. And as a result of that, Chelsea has a ton of center backs who all seem to be the “next John Terry” at various points.

Marc Guehi might be the closest by virtue of his starts for the first team already this season. His loan at Swansea should serve to bring him closer to the first team.

Trevoh Chalobah is also in the Championship and can play in midfield, but he seems further off than his compatriots.

Jake Clarke-Salter is one of Birmingham’s best players and is the real stand out in the Championship this season. He has had a rough few loans previously, but he was the one that really started the “next John Terry” moniker.

Then there is the wild card of Ethan Ampadu. He will be learning a lot from Julian Nagelsmann, but he is not playing and that will hurt him. There is also the open ended question as to whether he is better in defense or midfield.

The likelihood any of them stay: If any stay, it will likely be Ampadu due to his versatility. The rest would have an uphill battle unless Chelsea really shuffles the deck when it comes to center backs. And if that were to happen, a new world class one would likely come in instead of a youth.

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