Chelsea’s academy structure is now set for a big reshuffle off the back of news reported yesterday.
It was claimed that Neil Bath and Jim Fraser would both be leaving the club after an extremely long tenure at Cobham.
Their academy process has been responsible for some of the top players in the game, with club captain Reece James and midfielder Conor Gallagher just two of those who have made their way into the first team as a result.
However, they are now set to depart, leaving many curious about what the future will now look like for a number of the young players currently at the club.
Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol has now shared that there were a large amount of figures at the club who were keen to keep hold of Bath in some capacity, recognising the work he has done for them.
Neil Bath told Chelsea he wanted to leave
However, he told Sky Sports News that he had made it clear to the owners that he wanted to take a break before considering making any form of return to the game.
He said: “Neil Bath approached Chelsea a few months ago and told them that he was considering leaving the club after 28 years. Now, I think the owners and everybody at the club wanted him to stay.
“They recognize the incredible work that he’s done at the club. And he’s been responsible for bringing through a golden generation of players.
“But I think Neil Bath made it clear that he wanted a break, he wanted a new challenge and the first thing he wants to do is to take a holiday.”
Pochettino replaced by Enzo Maresca
The change of personnel at the club this summer kicked off with the manager position. Mauricio Pochettino left by mutual consent after just one season at Stamford Bridge.
He was swiftly replaced by Enzo Maresca, despite the fact he has never managed in the Premier League before.
However, the length of contract offered to the Italian suggests they have full confidence in his ability to take the project forwards over the coming years.
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