People closely connected to Chelsea apparently are worried by the volume of academy products wanting to leave the club.
According to The Athletic, some within Stamford Bridge’s walls are looking on anxiously at what’s going on with their emerging talents.
Young Blues becoming men
It was revealed yesterday that Marc Guehi is close to joining Crystal Palace, just days after he joined up with Thomas Tuchel for pre-season training.
Guehi’s reputation around Cobham is of the highest order and many felt the defender was ready for the Premier League leap.
He will be playing in the top division, but unfortunately not for the Blues.
This move follows on from Fikayo Tomori’s permanent transfer to AC Milan, another who rose through the Chelsea ranks to a prominent position.
Frank Lampard initially launched the 23-year-old into first-team action, yet retreated on his decision and froze him out last term.
During Lampard’s tenure, the Athletic say the connection between the senior set-up and the academy was the best it had ever been throughout Roman Abramovich’s reign.
That feeling has now changed following Thomas Tuchel’s arrival, as more prodigies want to spread their wings.
Billy Gilmour has been allowed to join Norwich City on loan. However, this feels like long-term planning for his Blues career.
Tammy Abraham looks likely to leave this summer, a player who has been with the club since Under-8 level.
All of this has rightly got the hierarchy worried because, as the Athletic state, people are actively choosing to leave.
Chelsea cursing their fortunes
Chelsea chiefs have also been sweating over the futures of three shining stars from the junior sides.
football.london first reported that Lewis Bate, Tino Livramento, and Myles Peart-Harris are currently non-committal to signing a new contract.
And the Athletic back up these claims in today’s article, with suggestions that their stance has not changed, despite Chelsea wanting to tie them down.
Livramento is already attracting attention from Aston Villa and AC Milan (Goal).
Dynel Simeu is also said to have rejected a two-year deal as he prepares to join a rival Premier League team.
With Chelsea so focused on bringing in expensive recruits, perhaps they have forgotten what’s right in front of them.