After
Chelsea's UEFA Youth League final victory over Shakhtar Donetsk, we look at
five Blues stars of the future...
Dominic Solanke
After hitting 20 goals in 25 matches for Chelsea U18s last season, Solanke
has been drafted into the first-team setup this year.
The 17-year-old was on the bench for the Blues' Premier League match against
Crystal Palace in October and made his professional debut three days later
as a substitute in the 6-0 Champions League win over Maribor.
Solanke has also proven his talent at international level, notching four
goals in four games to help England to European U17 Championship glory in
2014. His goal-scoring continued with country’s U18s last autumn and the
quick, technical striker had racked up 34 strikes for club and country
before Easter.
He showed his aerial threat in the UEFA Youth League Final with a
well-placed header for Chelsea’s second.
Isaiah Brown
Along with Solanke, Brown is one of the three players Jose Mourinho
highlighted last July as possessing the potential to make the grade at
Chelsea.
"My conscience tells me that if, for example, (Lewis) Baker, Brown, and
Solanke are not national team players in a few years, I should blame
myself," said Mourinho.
Brown became the second-youngest player in Premier League history in 2013
when he made his debut for West Brom aged just 16 years and 117 days, but
soon left for Chelsea where he has continued his development.
The pacey attacker demonstrated his attributes in the final win over
Shakhtar, popping up in the box to tuck in the opener before slotting in a
fine second to put Chelsea 3-1 up.
Charly Musonda
Musonda has made a big impression at Chelsea after signing from Anderlecht
with his two brothers, Tika and Lamisha, in 2012.
The son of a former Zambian international, the attacking midfielder began
his Blues career with the U16s but was promoted to the U18s for the FA Youth
Cup final against Norwich in 2013.
His quick footwork and eye for a spectacular goal - including a brilliant
strike against Manchester United last season - have ensured Musonlda has
become a key player for the U21s, with the 18-year-old also representing the
age group for Belgium at international level.
Musonda signed a new contract in March, extending his stay at Chelsea until
at least 2019.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
After substitute appearances in Chelsea’s Champions League win over Sporting
Lisbon and Premier League draw with Manchester City, Loftus-Cheek was
promoted to the first-team squad in February.
The 19-year-old – who has been with the Blues since U8s – is a box-to-box
midfielder who, last season, won the U21 Premier League title and captained
the U18s to their FA Youth Cup win.
Loftus-Cheek is an England U19 international we’re likely to be seeing a lot
more of in 2015/16…
Charlie Colkett
Skilful left-footed midfielder Colkett is a key figure at the heart of
Chelsea’s youth team.
The 18-year-old played a starring role as the Blues won the FA Youth Cup
last season – scoring in each semi-final before slotting in a penalty in the
final – and has captained the team to the final again this term.
A former Charlton youngster, Colkett has represented England at U16, U17,
U18 and U19 levels and signed his first pro contract with Chelsea in
September 2013 when he turned 17.
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