Chelsea’s academy churns out some of the best young footballers in world football – here are the most promising talents born after January 1, 2000
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ToggleNow on the verge of an England senior debut after five goals and four assists for Chelsea this season, Callum Hudson-Odoi has well and truly announced himself as one of world football’s best youngsters.
The 18-year-old winger is blessed with incredible raw talent, able to beat his man at will, to both create and finish chances.
He was even at the centre of a January transfer tussle as Chelsea fought to resist the advances of Bayern Munich, who bid £35 million for their academy product.
Despite the youngster handing in a transfer request, the Blues hope to persuade Hudson-Odoi to renew his deal – which expires in June 2020 – by offering him around £85,000 a week.
Hudson-Odoi is certainly ready to become a major player at Stamford Bridge, as underlined by the fact that he ranked third in Goal's 2019 NxGn list.
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Just like Hudson-Odoi, Ethan Ampadu has established himself as a regular member of the Chelsea first-team squad under Maurizio Sarri this season.
The versatile defender, who can also play in midfield, made his Blues debut under Antonio Conte, though, not long after being signed from Exeter City, where he had made his senior bow at just 15.
Ampadu has struggled to progress under Sarri but time is on his side and he has already shown what a class act he is by impressing for Wales at senior international level.
In 2017, Chelsea beat a host of top clubs to the signing of Rangers academy product Billy Gilmour, who cost an initial £600,000, with the potential of further add-ons.
Gilmour is presently proving his worth in Chelsea's youth system, showing himself to be a uniquely-gifted midfield technician, one who is already lining out for the Under-23s at just 17.
Scotland Under-21s have already called up the youngster, who has been described by some as the best talent his nation has produced in a generation, as well as earning comparisons with Cesc Fabregas for his intelligent and creative style of play.
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A goal on his Under-23 debut at just 16 announced Tino Anjorin as a force to be reckoned with at youth level.
This came after he also got his first taste of Under-18s football last season, even scoring after coming off the bench in the FA Youth Cup final against Arsenal.
Anjorin is getting bigger and stronger as he gets older, combining his technical skill as an attacking midfielder with impressive physical attributes.
He now hopes to maintain his Frank Lampard-like midfield goal record when he eventually steps up to senior level.