After years spent taking pride in the success of his close friends Mason Mount and Declan Rice, Dan Kemp is reflecting on the best season of his career - even if it ultimately ended in disappointment.
Mount, Kemp and Rice were all born within the space of a week in January 1999, and formed a formidable midfield group within Chelsea's youth ranks. However, while his peers played in UEFA competitions this season, the 24-year-old has suffered relegation while on loan at Hartlepool.
If that sounds like failure, though, it shouldn't do. After a difficult few years, the midfielder - who spent time around West Ham 's first team with Rice has been playing some of the best and most consistent football of his career and still has plenty of time to climb the pyramid.
