Chelsea had the second-lowest average age in the 2023/24 Premier League season. Only relegated Burnley had a younger average squad (24 years and 257 days) compared to the Blues (24 years and 280 days.
The value of youth appeared somewhat lost on Chelsea at times this season though. Chelsea were eventually outfought in the EFL Cup final by a battle-hardened Liverpool after extra time. In addition, several missed chances in their FA Cup semi-final against Man City were eventually punished, as Mauricio Pochettino’s side lost 1-0.
At times, it appeared as though the Blues’ £400 million transfer spend in the summer of 2023 might backfire in the Premier League too. Chelsea won just four of their opening 13 matches, dropping points against West Ham, Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest, and Brentford.
Pochettino’s young outfit has shown more resilience and cutting-edge late in the season, however. Chelsea are unbeaten in 14 of their last 15 league matches and have won their previous four in a row.
Several young players have stepped up in a largely challenging campaign too, including Conor Gallagher and Cole Palmer.
However, Pochettino might want to see the following players contribute further to the first team in the 2024/25 campaign to improve Chelsea’s scores and odds in the Premier League.
Noni Madueke
Noni Madueke was one of the young players to arrive on a seven-and-a-half-year contract at Stamford Bridge in January 2023. There were high hopes for the winger, who made 34 goal contributions in 80 games for PSV Eindhoven.
Initially, Madueke struggled for form in the second half of the 2022/23 campaign, scoring just one goal in 16 appearances.
However, the £28.5 million arrival showed greater consistency this season. Madueke made seven goal contributions in the Premier League. In his last eight league matches, Madueke has scored three goals and made two assists.
Overall, Madueke has shown Pochettino why he should be starting next season. Moreover, the 22-year-old had injury struggles midway through the season. As a result, a full pre-season and greater confidence following decent late-season form will give Madueke momentum to break into the Blues first-team.
Lesley Ugochukwu
Midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu was another big-money signing last summer. The 20-year-old arrived in West London, also on a seven-year contract, for nearly £25 million from Rennes.
Despite his young age, Ugochukwu joined Chelsea with plenty of top-level experience. During the 2022/23 campaign, the midfielder played 26 Ligue 1 games for Rennes. Moreover, the French player came with European experience, having featured in seven Europa League games.
Pochettino started to ease Ugochukwu into the defensive midfield role from the bench and in the EFL Cup. Here, the midfielder showed his quality by winning tackles and headers and distributing the ball sensibly. In particular, Ugochukwu produced a solid display in Chelsea’s 2-0 EFL Cup win over Blackburn.
However, just as the French player was building form and looking like a solid addition, he suffered a hamstring injury and missed five months of the season.
Ugochukwu returned off the bench for the Blues 2-1 win at Brighton on Wednesday and there will be intrigue as to how he progresses after his first taste of English football this season.
Carney Chukwuemeka
Carney Chukwuemeka has endured two difficult seasons since joining Chelsea on a six-year contract from Aston Villa. Since arriving in summer 2022, Chukwuemeka has played just 23 matches for the Blues.
Throughout the 2022/23 season, Chukwuemeka was in and out of the Chelsea first-team and suffered a hamstring injury mid-way through the season.
After Pochettino’s arrival last summer, it appeared as though Chukwuemeka would be a valuable squad player. He came off the bench in Chelsea’s 2023/24 opener against Liverpool before starting and scoring against Chelsea in the following match at West Ham.
But the midfielder suffered a serious knee injury at the London Stadium. As a result, he missed most of the season.
Chukwuemeka has the potential to challenge Gallagher for the further forward midfield role in Pochettino’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation. As a result, Pochettino will hope to integrate the England youth player properly throughout pre-season in the hope he gets an injury-free 2024/25.
Ian Maatsen
22-year-old defender Ian Maatsen was a fringe player at Chelsea in the first half of the season. In January, the Dutch player joined Borussia Dortmund on a six-month loan.
Since his loan move, Maatsen has impressed in the left-back role, making two assists and two goals. The defender has also played in 20 of the 22 matches which he has been available for – highlighting his consistency.
Maatsen is scheduled to return to Chelsea at the end of the season, although his contract expires at Stamford Bridge this summer.
Following several strong performances in Dortmund, and helping BVB to reach the Champions League final, Pochettino may be tempted to offer Maatsen a long-term contract.
