The West London club desperately need homegrown players to comply with Premier League regulations.
Chelsea’s transfer business over the last few years, and especially this summer, has been widely praised, but there is one major issue with the squad at Stamford Bridge that has not been addressed.
With the departure of Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Ryan Bertrand from the first team squad over the summer, Chelsea were reduced to only two “homegrown” senior players. The addition of Cesc Fabregas, who qualifies after spending eight years at Arsenal after moving as a 16-year-old, brings the number up to three, but that is still the bare minimum.
Chelsea need to add homegrown talent to their squad as soon as possible and it won’t come cheap: not only will they be playing the “English players premium”, but the limited number of top class homegrown players available and Chelsea’s desperation means that they can be held to ransom by clubs. Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana both went for huge money in the summer, and Chelsea will likely have to bite the bullet and pay a big fee if they are to buy an established player.
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12) Lewis Baker – Chelsea
Chelsea have plenty of talented young players in their own youth ranks who could be promoted, not least Lewis Baker. Having just received a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England U-21s, the midfielder is regarded as a great talent by the club and will hope that the need for homegrown players leads to his chance in the first team.11) Dominic Solanke – Chelsea
The striker played on Chelsea’s preseason tour, and impressed to the extent that Mourinho said that if he does not go on to be a full international for England he will blame himself. Considering Drogba’s position as a short term replacement, Solanke will hope that another impressive preseason next year will see him drafted into the full squad for 2014-2015. 10) Ross Barkley – Everton
If Chelsea are forced to buy, there aren’t many better options than Barkley, who had a stunning breakthrough season for Everton last year. He has missed the start of this season through injury, but would still command a fee well into the tens of millions if he were to move in January.9) Morgan Schneiderlin – Southampton
The French midfielder joined Southampton at the age of 18 while they were in League 1, and so surprisingly qualifies as homegrown in the same way that Fabregas does. Buying the energetic central midfielder would also release Fabregas to play further forward in Chelsea’s formation; but prising him away from the South coast won’t come cheap. Tottenham were told last summer that they would have to pay more than the £27m Manchester United spent on Luke Shaw to secure the Frenchman’s signing.
8) Nathaniel Clyne – Southampton
Another talented young Southampton player, the right-back has recently been called up for the senior England squad. He has started this season as strongly as he finished the last one, and will surely be the subject of a serious bidding war in the summer. Chelsea are well stocked at full-back currently, but having let Shaw go to Manchester last summer might not be able to pass up another genuine English talent.
7) Raheem Sterling – Liverpool
It’s hard to imagine a world in which England’s greatest talent would move to the Bridge, but rumours have been spreading in the last few days that the Blues want to make a colossal £48m bid for the attacker. With Liverpool struggling, one can’t help but wonder whether Sterling could turn down a move back to London in the unlikely event that the Reds miss out on the Champions League this year.6) Michael Carrick – Manchester United
A true left-field choice, the Englishman is out of contract in Manchester in the summer, and may not be offered a new deal as Louis Van Gaal looks to restructure the club. Chelsea could bring the veteran in as a squad player for a year or two, while younger talents are developed.5) Fabian Delph – Aston Villa
The much improved Delph scored the goal that put Chelsea out of the title race last year. He is another player whose contract runs out in the summer and the dynamic midfielder would be a cheap option for Chelsea to boost their homegrown numbers for next season. 4) James Ward-Prowse – Southampton
The attacking midfielder is out injured at the moment, but impressed last year and really has his chance to shine this year following the departure of Adam Lallana. If he plays well upon his return from injury, he would be a very interesting option for the Blues, who could offset his purchase with the sale of Salah or Ramires.3) Glen Johnson – Liverpool
Former Chelsea player Johnson’s contract runs out in the summer, and he could be a cheap way for Chelsea to give themselves some depth without paying much money. Liverpool’s acquisitions of Alberto Moreno and Javier Manquillo has put Johnson’s position in the team in doubt.
2) Asmir Begovic – Stoke
The Bosnian keeper qualifies, having played at Portsmouth as a youngster. Chelsea will be looking to get rid of Petr Cech while they can still get a big fee for him, and so a new backup keeper is needed. However Begovic may not be interested in a move to sit on a bench as he enters the prime of his career, although Chelsea always have the option of buying someone like…1) Matthew Gilks – Burnley
The goalkeeper is second-choice at Burnley, and would be available for very little money. At the age of 32 he would not be able to turn down the offer of a year or two warming the bench at Chelsea, even if it is just for roster management purposes. Manchester City have done a similar thing with Richard Wright, who has been at the club since 2012 without making a single appearance.