The likes of Josh McEachran, Romelu Lukaku, Lucaz Piazon, Jeffrey Bruma, Patrick Van Aanholt, Gael Kakuta, Sam Hutchinson are just a handful of the players who had stints of games at first team action before they were loaned out. In spite of the rare chance given these players, we have not stepped back in the pursuit of young talented players.
The fact that some have proven themselves ready for first team action means the ball is now in Chelsea's court and must now decide if they truly deserve a place in the team, or would have to continue the learning curve out on loan. That said, here are 4 players whose outstanding performances have staked a claim for a place in Mourinho's squad next season. The obvious emission of Courtois down to the fact a loan deal has already been tied up for next season
Romelu Lukaku.
What more can be said of the hulking Belgian? At 6'3, he absolutely fits Mourinho's ideal frontman; strong in air, pacey, full of stamina and just 20 or thereabouts. Not only does he match Mourinho's type of striker, he has also shown he's got an end-product to his game, notching up 17 goals and 7 assists for West Brom last season. During that season, Lukaku was acquiring both goals and assists, while we had to endure the show of mediocrity put up by Ba and Torres. Both only managed 10 goals between them in the EPL and Mourinho wouldn't be filled with confidence going into next season with the duo. Hence, it appears Lukaku would surely be the first amongst the returning loanees to get his chance under Mourinho, and sooner rather than later
Kevin de Bruyne
In spite of the escalating array of talents in the midfield, Kevin's generally impressive outing at Werder Bremen, getting 8 goals and 12 assists from the midfield, has thrust him forward as one of the players worthy of team selection. With Mata, Oscar, Hazard, and Ramires comprising our principal players in the attacking third, it would be interesting to see how Kevin breaks into that fold.
Kenneth Omeruo
At first glance, the quartet of Luiz, Terry, Ivanovic and Cahill in the backline appears satisfactory but it's only when the season begins that we'd see the need for an extra defender. A sudden injury hit of one of our defenders, plus the intermediate International commitments, and our backline could become decimated, which could well destabilize the team.
To avoid this scenario, at no cost is 19 year old Kenneth Omeruo, waiting in the wings. It's hard to gauge his unseen club performances, but going by his outing at AFCON and his recent displays in the Confederations Cup, it would be logical to have him do the ropes under Terry & co. If you've seen how he had Cavani and Suarez in his pockets, you'd definitely see him as a bright prospect, worthy of a shot at the Premier League
Nathaniel Chalobah
In Nathaniel Chalobah, we have a rapidly developing DM. He is barely 20, but if we are really sincere in the promotion of youth with the potentials, then Nathan surely deserves a go at first team action. Playing over 40 games for Zola's Watford, Nathan was pivotal in helping Watford to the play-off finals. However, he has been found suspect in some of his games, but the void of genuine DM would necessitate the inclusion of at least a promising one and I think Nathan fits that bill.
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