Chelsea fear academy exodus as youngsters struggle to reach the top
CHELSEA are fighting to avoid a youth exodus, as rival clubs attempt to poach their best academy players.
Young talents fear their pathways have been blocked by new signings — and clubs in the Premier League and across Europe are ready to prise them away.
Incoming head coach Mauricio Pochettino has a record of giving academy players a chance, but many are worried that the influx of arrivals will limit their opportunities.
Charlie Webster, Malik Mothersille and Frankie Runham are among those players who could leave.
Midfielder Webster, 19, has just one year left on his contract and has longterm interest from Borussia Dortmund. Mothersille, a 19-year-old striker, is in the last year of his deal and getting offers from Premier League rivals. Midfielder Runham, a 16-year-old set-piece specialist, has offers from Newcastle and Brighton, and is set to decide whether to sign his first professional contract at Chelsea or leave.
The Blues have moved to sign some of the best young talent in the world since Todd Boehly and Clearlake completed their takeover last summer. The club has signed Carney Chukwuemeka, Cesare Casadei, Andrey Santos and Gabriel Slonina, as well as a host of bigmoney senior players on long-term contracts.
There is a need to let some players go following the influx of new arrivals, but Chelsea will have control over most of the exits from their academy. They are set to loan out several players, including England Under-20 internationals Harvey Vale and Bashir Humphreys, and Finland international goalkeeper Lucas Bergstrom. Winger Omari Hutchinson, full-back Dylan Williams and centre-back Alfie Gilchrist are also seeking their first loans next season.
Xavier Simons has been sold to Hull, Dujon Sterling is joining Rangers on a free transfer, while Tino Anjorin and Henry Lawrence are expected to be sold. Jayden Wareham, Derrick Abu, Bryan Fiabema, Joe Haigh, Prince Adegoke and Ethan Wady will be released.
Striker Jimmy-Jay Morgan, a £3million academy signing from Southampton, will lead the U-21 line next season, while Norwich winger Alex Matos has also agreed to join up with Mark Robinson’s side from next season.
Striker Dujuan Richards, 17, will join the academy when he turns 18 in October, while Chelsea have agreed to sign 16-year-old Ecuadorian Kendry Paez in a £17.5m deal. He will not join until he turns 18 in 2025.