Chelsea’s new-look team? The talent ALREADY at the Bridge that Mourinho could promote

Jose Mourinho is evidently not happy with the current state of his Chelsea squad, with a shortage of the kind of players he likes in key areas, and as a result the London side are expected to spend big this summer.

Yet transfers aren’t the only solution to a shortage of players, and Chelsea have a world class youth academy that has produced a crop of excellent young players, desperate to get their chance in the first team, but who remain largely untouched by the Blues boss.

Chelsea's U21 team have reached the U21 Premier League final, while the youth team are in the FA Youth Cup final, proving there is plenty of talent waiting to break through the ranks at Stamford Bridge.

Mourinho’s good record with youth at Real Madrid suggests that the Portuguese isn't averse to promoting promising players.

His time at Real Madrid is remembered for many reasons, both good and bad, yet one of the notable elements of his time at the Bernabeu that has passed largely unnoticed is the fact that the Portuguese coach handed official first team debuts to over 20 academy players.

The likes of Alvaro Morata, Jese Rodriguez, Brazilian midfielder Casemiro (who starred against Borussia Dortmund in this season’s Champions League quarter-finals) and Russia international Denis Cheryshev were all given a first team bow by the current Chelsea boss during his time in Madrid.

Plenty of top quality young players have come through Chelsea's own academy, and there are certainly a few in particular that stick out win thinking about who could fill holes in key positions that may open up this summer. Dutch defender and midfielder Nathan Ake is one obvious candidate. The Netherlands U21 international made his Chelsea first team debut back in 2012, but has struggled for appearances thanks to the consistency of the seniors that play in his areas.

The situation is changing, however. John Terry, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard are all out of contract at the end of the season, and Ake can fill in at left back, play at centre back and holding midfield, so he could be the ideal player for Mourinho next year if the Portuguese coach thinks he’s up to the task.

The timing couldn’t be better for the Dutchman in any case. It’s probably now or never for him, as if Chelsea sign players for those positions, his first team opportunities will continue to be virtually non-existent at a key stage in his career.

If Mourinho is looking for more quality in the midfield, then 19-year-old Lewis Baker could be an option. Handed his senior debut by the Chelsea boss in an FA Cup win over Derby back in January, Baker is known for his shooting and finishing, chalking up exceptional numbers in front of goal despite usually playing as a central midfielder, and considering the Blues could be about to lose Frank Lampard’s goals from midfield, the academy player’s profile fits the bill. Evidently, he won’t instantly start scoring numbers fitting of a striker from the middle of the pitch as Lampard used to, but nurturing his unique talent in that capacity could be hugely beneficial for the Chelsea first team.

Like Ake, another excellent utility player that the Blues have at their disposal is Nathaniel Chalobah, who spent an exceptional loan spell at Watford last season. The England youth international has gained praise while on loan once more this season, working with Mourinho’s trusted former assistant at Real Madrid Aitor Karanka, who is now the Middlesbrough manager. This summer could be the moment of truth for the youngster who is comfortable both at centre back and in the midfield, keeping in mind the potential departures of both Lampard and Terry that we mentioned before. Karanka says that if Chalobah applies himself he could play for any top team, so will Mourinho be the one to change the youngster’s mentality to that of a true winner?

Chelsea won’t rely on youngsters to solve all of their problems next season, but if the right young players are available at no additional cost, and could fill gaps in the squad, it only makes sense to give them a chance.

Ake, Baker and Chalobah are all ready for the next step in their respective careers, possess bags of quality and, above all, play in important areas of the pitch that Chelsea could do with cover in. Why not give them a chance? After all, if the current circumstances aren’t enough for players of their high ability to be given an opportunity, what is the point in Chelsea spending a fortune on their academy in the first place?

Blues fans, is it time you gave a first team chance to you best youngsters? Let us know below...