Chelsea ended a dreadful season with the FA Cup victory against Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United. However, many around Stamford Bridge will see that as a minor success in a year that should have promised a lot.
The Blues missed out on a Champions League spot, failing to defend their Premier League crown in spectacular fashion and it is almost certain that Antonio Conte has managed his last match for the west London outfit.
However, it has not all been doom and gloom for those involved with Chelsea, with a number of the club’s youngsters getting their fair share of football around the globe and could, in fact, help the Blues in the immediate future with their vital experiences.
The club will be expected to go out and by a number of players to help strengthen their side, but with the performances of some of their talented crop, Roman Abramovich may only have to spend a minimal amount, rather than having to break the bank once again.
In this article, we take a look at some of the key stars that made an impact at the clubs they have spent the year at and how they could make an impact with the first-team next season, rather than focusing on the likes of Michy Batshuayi, Kenedy, Reuben Loftus-Cheek and Tammy Abraham.
1. Mason Mount
The England under-19 star has risen his stock with his performances for Vitesse Arnhem, a place many of the Blues youth head to at one point in their career.
The midfielder’s performances have guided the Dutch outfit to the Europa League, alongside Matt Miazga in defence, and made 39 appearances for the side and scoring 14 goals in the process.
The youngster may struggle initially struggle to get into the senior side, however, if he continues the way he is performing, he should become a key member of the Chelsea team in the near future.
2. Marco van Ginkel
The 25-year-old has struggled to make an impact during his time at Stamford Bridge, having suffered a serious injury in his early days and was sent out on loan to the likes of AC Milan and Stoke City.
This year, he returned back to his homeland and helped PSV Eindhoven to the Eredivisie title and put in a number of impressive performances in his 33 appearances, scoring at a rate almost as good as a goal every other game.
3. Kurt Zouma
The French defender has spent the year on loan with Stoke City and despite their relegation from the Premier League, he put in a number of solid performances for the Potters.
In his first season with the Blues, he had put in a solid showing before his shocking injury against Manchester United and could return back to the team next year, although it could depend on the manager at the helm.
