Chelsea kick off their Premier League campaign on Saturday evening as they travel to Goodison Park to face Everton. The Blues will begin a new era under the ownership of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital – one that will hopefully continue the good times at Stamford Bridge.
For Thomas Tuchel he will be hoping Chelsea can get closer to last season's top two: Manchester City and Liverpool. That remains a really difficult challenge, with the two dominant teams in England both adding more firepower this summer.
The Blues, though, have also added to their squad this summer. Perhaps not as much as they thought, or had hoped, they would have by this stage, but there have been two signings, with Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly both arriving at Stamford Bridge.
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Meanwhile, Chelsea are in advanced talks to sign Marc Cucurella from Brighton for around £50million. The Blues are also locked in negotiations with Leicester City over a deal to sign Wesley Fofana.
So there are expected to be a few more incomings before the transfer window slams shut at the beginning of next month. However, there is still a chance Tuchel could turn to some of his younger players over the course of what is set to be a very long 2022/23 season.
"We will always use as many academy players where possible," Tuchel said earlier in the year. "I said before, I think it makes the club very special and makes every team in the world very special if you have the mix between world-class players, big personalities from abroad and outside the club mixed with academy boys."
So, with all of this being said, football.london takes a look at seven players – who have all come through or are still developing at the academy system at Cobham – who could become regulars in the first-team squad for the upcoming season. Let us know if you agree with our selections in the comments section below.
Teddy Sharman-Lowe
Kepa Arrizabalaga looks set to move to Napoli on loan in the coming days, and that could create an opening in the Chelsea squad. Sharman-Lowe, 19, could be the man to sit on the Blues' bench behind Edouard Mendy.
There is, of course, Marcus Bettinelli, who, at the moment, is the third-choice goalkeeper in the Chelsea squad. Tuchel could place some of his trust in Sharman-Lowe should he want to hand an academy player a chance in the squad.
Levi Colwill
Colwill is one of the most exciting talents in the Chelsea academy system. Plenty of Blues supporters on social media want the 19-year-old defender to be handed a chance with the senior side in the upcoming season, but rumours over his future are beginning to circulate.
football.london understands Chelsea have floated the idea of including Colwill in a deal to sign the aforementioned Cucurella, with Brighton holding an interest in the defender. There's plenty of interest in the Chelsea teenager, but if he does end up staying with the Blues, then he could easily be handed opportunities in the first-team.
The left-sided centre-back has all of the attributes to become a top-class defender in the future. If Tuchel does put trust into his academy players, then Colwill could be the next name to break through in west London.
Harvey Vale
Vale is another teenager who is very highly-rated at the Chelsea academy. The 18-year-old midfielder has been at the club since signing from Fulham's academy as an Under-13 and made his senior debut for the Blues in December 2021.
Last season, Vale started more games than anyone for the development squad and received the Academy Player of the Year award. The talented teenager finished the season off by captaining England Under-19s at the Euros.
Lewis Hall
Hall, 17, is another talented midfielder coming through the academy at Chelsea. The teenager has been with the club since his Under-8 season.
The Blues ace established himself as an important player for Ed Brand and Andy Myers for the U18s last season. His versatility is something that sets him apart from other players. He's played as a left-back, left wing-back, a winger and in the centre of midfield.
Conor Gallagher
Gallagher spent last season on loan at Crystal Palace, and his form for the Eagles means Chelsea are set to give him a big opportunity in the senior squad for the upcoming campaign. The 22-year-old midfielder made himself a regular in Gareth Southgate's England squad last season because of his impressive performances in south London.
However, the England international faces tough competition in the centre of midfield. Gallagher has the likes of Mateo Kovacic, Jorginho, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and N'Golo Kante to compete with to become a first-team regular under Tuchel.
Gallagher showcased at Palace, though, that he has the goal threat that perhaps some of the aforementioned midfielders do not possess. It will be really interesting to see what sort of role Gallagher has in 2022/23.
Ethan Ampadu
Ampadu's future at Chelsea remains uncertain. A move for the Wales international could become a reality should another centre-back be signed, football.london has been told.
The 21-year-old can play in both defence and midfield – showing that in pre-season, where he impressed for Chelsea. Ampadu's versatility could make him a very handy option for Tuchel for what is a very busy season.
Armando Broja
Broja has been strongly linked with a move away from Chelsea in recent weeks, but no decision has been made on the Albanian striker's future just yet. Right now, considering the lack of options Chelsea have as a number nine, Broja has more chance than he perhaps ever will to prove himself at Stamford Bridge.
The 20-year-old's stock right now is as high as it's ever been, and there's no guarantee it will be like this again. Footballers face a difficult decision because moving right now for Broja will likely secure him financial security for the rest of his life. Broja's dream, though, is to make it at Chelsea, but patience may be required.
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