Chelsea have faced plenty of criticism over transfers since they were taken over by Todd Boehly and Clearlake last summer.
But the performances of some of their new signings at the Under-20 World Cup suggests their policy of targeting the best young players could yet prove to be a masterstroke.
Cesare Casadei, Kendry Paez, Gabriel Slonina all starred at the tournament in Argentina.
Andrey Santos also impressed, while Carney Chukwuemeka and Bashir Humphreys featured for an England side captained by Harvey Vale.
Chelsea have paid over £70m for Casadei, Paez, Slonina and Chukwuemeka in a youth recruitment drive over the past year.
In a few years, that might turn out to be inspired business.
Casadei captained Italy to the final and his performances particularly stood out.
The £12m signing from Inter last summer was top scorer at the tournament with seven goals from midfield, and he produced some excellent displays.
Italy lost 1-0 to Uruguay in the final but Casadei was named player of the tournament.
United States goalkeeper Slonina kept four straight clean sheets before his side were knocked out by winners Uruguay in the quarter-finals.
The 19-year-old, a £12m signing from Chicago Fire, has now linked up with the senior US squad for their Gold Cup matches and has already been capped by his country.
Paez joined Chelsea for £17.5m this summer and is regarded as one of the best young talents in the world.
The 16-year-old Ecuadorian was the youngest player at the tournament and became the youngest player ever to score at the Under-20 World Cup when he found the net in a 9-0 win over Fiji in the group stage.
Paez was subsequently called up to the senior Ecuador squad but could not get the right visa to play in friendlies in the United States.
Chelsea have to wait until Paez turns 18 in 2025 before he can play for them, but he is already being compared to Lionel Messi in South America.
Andrey Santos, who joined for £16m earlier this year, captained Brazil after winning the South American Under-20s Championship in February.
Brazil side suffered a quarter-final shock exit to Israel but Santos looks best placed out of all the youngsters to be part of Mauricio Pochettino’s first-team plans next season.
Vale and Humphreys were regulars for England, while £20m signing Chukwuemeka joined up with the squad late for their last-16 exit at the hands of Italy.
Chelsea will lean heavily on loans to prepare their young talent for the first-team.
But the club are trying to move away from reliance on loans after changes to FIFA rules, which will limit clubs to having just seven players out on loan from next season. They are instead pressing ahead with plans for a multi-club model like Manchester City.
Chelsea believe an affiliation with other clubs will help give their young players top-level experience elsewhere in Europe.
The possibility of helping players from weaker leagues become eligible for UK work permits, which has become harder after Brexit, is another reason behind their interest in the multi-club model.
Chelsea are undergoing a huge restructure of operations. Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart act as co-sporting directors. Christopher Vivell has significant control over the multi-club plans, while Neil Bath remains influential in the academy.
Underneath them is a group of expert recruitment specialists including Joe Shields, who was at the Under-20 World Cup in Argentina scouting additional youth talent.
Shields watched Gambia’s 19-year-old striker Adama Bojang, who Chelsea are tracking alongside Manchester City as they target players to bring them future success.
