Mason Mount has told The Athletic that the influx of academy players coming through the club is ‘amazing to see.’
At one point during the 3-0 statement win the Champions League over AC Milan, there were five English academy graduates on the pitch, dominating the Italian champions at Stamford Bridge.
Mount, Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Conor Gallagher were all present at a stage in the second half.
The revolution of this crop of players can very much be put down to the work of former manager Frank Lampard.
With a transfer ban in place, the Chelsea legend optimised the young core he inherited, many of which without any experience in the Premier League.
It was during this season where Mount was left pinching himself at the situation the youngsters found themselves in.
Mount delighted with young core
He said: “I remember we had a Champions League game away (at Lille) and, when we were on the plane, just pinching ourselves that we were travelling to a Champions League away game because we’d come so far together.
“You still get it now but you get used to it a little more when you’re together for so long. It’s so special to see and every single year there are a few more coming through who’ve been on loan or from the academy who are stepping up and making their mark. That is amazing to see.”
Graham Potter already appears to hold the same faith in many of the youngsters. He handed Loftus-Cheek the start in the major European game instead of Jorginho.
He has also been highly complimentary of Gallagher, who made the impact off the bench to secure the new manager his first three points in the league for this new club.
It remains to be seen which impressive midfielder gets the nod for tomorrow’s game against Wolves.