Chelsea has had many talented players who spent the majority of their careers at the club. This includes Frank Lampard, John Terry, and Didier Drogba. Lampard was signed from West Ham United, Drogba came from Marseille, whilst Terry came through their academy.
The Blues have not been known for giving their players from their academy a chance, as Reece James is one of a few players to have made the grade. Also, young players that they have signed are not given a chance; many have to go on loan and leave permanently to ensure first-team soccer.
If Chelsea had spotted some of these top players early, then they would not have had to spend big in the transfer market to get the talent that they needed.
5 players who improved after leaving Chelsea
Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne joined Chelsea from Genk back in 2012. However, he was never given a chance at Stamford Bridge. He made nine appearances for the Blues, without scoring, but did set up Oscar for a goal in a 2-0 win over Hull City in the Premier League.
His manager at Chelsea, Jose Mourinho, is one of the club's greatest managers, so, surprisingly, he could not get the best out of De Bruyne. The player was sent on loan to Werder Bremen before joining Wolfsburg permanently.
De Bruyne eventually got his chance back in the Premier League with Manchester City, where he became a legend. He won six domestic league titles and the Champions League with City. He only departed the club last summer and is now starring in Serie A with Napoli.
Mohamed Salah
Much like De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah is a player who did not get a look-in at Chelsea but went on to star for another Premier League side. He made 19 appearances, scored in Premier League fixtures against Arsenal and Stoke City. Whilst he also provided three assists for the club in all competitions.
The signing from Basel eventually joined Fiorentina on loan before heading to Serie A permanently with AS Roma. Salah was brought back to the Premier League with Liverpool, where he still plays. The Egyptian was a key part of Liverpool's two league title wins and claimed the Champions League.
In total for the Reds, Salah has scored 250 goals with 116 assists in 419 games. Liverpool is currently on a bad run of form, but Salah is now 33 and not playing his best soccer.
Romelu Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku had two stints at Chelsea and got better after leaving both times. He was signed from Anderlecht in 2011, but made just 12 senior appearances in his first campaign. Following a successful loan at West Bromwich Albion, he played a couple more times for the Blues.
Unfortunately, Lukaku missed the decisive penalty in a UEFA Super Cup loss to Bayern Munich in 2013. He then joined Everton on loan before getting a permanent deal. His form for the Toffees earned him a move to Manchester United.
Lukaku then shone in Serie A for Inter Milan, before moving back to Chelsea. Expectations were high for Lukakau, as the Blues had just spent a then club record £97.5 million to get him back. He helped Chelsea win the Club World Cup, but expressed in an interview that he was not happy at the club.
Lukaku then had loan spells at Inter and then Roma, before joining Napoli permanently. The Belgian has scored goals wherever he has been, but has been unable to settle at a club for a sustained period.
Nathan Ake
Some great players have come through Chelsea's academy, such as John Terry and Reece James. However, not many are given a chance as the club opts to sign big names. Nathan Ake played for a year in the youth team at Chelsea but did not get many chances with the first team.
In total, the defender played just 17 times for Chelsea. Whilst with the club, he had loans at Reading, Watford, and then Bournemouth. The Netherlands international then joined Bournemouth permanently before signing for Manchester City.
Ake has won four Premier League titles and the Champions League with City. The Blues have not had a settled back line this season, so could have done with a player such as Ake.
Christian Pulisic
Christian Pulisic was a Chelsea player who was given a chance and made 145 appearances for the club. However, his time at Stamford Bridge was mixed. His best season was the 2019/20 campaign, which was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, the USMNT star scored nine goals with six assists in 25 Premier League games.
Pulisic helped Chelsea win the Champions League and scored in an FA Cup final defeat to Arsenal. The American was used sparingly by the Blues in his final season at the club before he joined AC Milan permanently. He has shone for the Italian club and recently scored the winner against their bitter rivals, Inter Milan.