Five Chelsea players who could be next to breakthrough into Frank Lampard’s first team
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard is not shy of playing young players if he believes they are ready to make their breakthrough into the first team.
As we saw with Mason Mount, Billy Gilmour and Reece James, in particular, the Blues boss has opened up the development path from the academy to the senior setup, which had been closed off for so many years.
We have looked at some other promising youngsters in the past but there are plenty more who have now begun to emerge in the youth ranks as Chelsea’s conveyor belt continues to develop hugely talented players.
Below are five youngsters who could be the stars of the future.
Dynel Simeu: Chelsea talent-spotted the defender whilst he was playing as a schoolboy in Southampton and he has gone through the ranks rapidly at Cobham. Starting out as an Under 14, he has made his way up to the Under 23s becoming a regular starter by the end of last season. This campaign, Sineu has captained the Development Squad in six of their nine Premier League 2 fixtures. He was also captain of England’s Under 18s before moving up to Under 19 level. A centre-back by trade, he can also be utilised as a fullback.
Lewis Bate: The fact that Frank Lampard has already named the 18-year-old on the bench for two senior games shows you that the England Under 19 international is very highly rated. He was an unused substitute for the 3-0 defeat to Sheffield United back in July whilst he was also included in the squad for the Champions League last 16 second leg tie against Bayern Munich in August.
Bate generally plays as a central midfielder or holding midfield player, much like Billy Gilmour. This season, he has played two EFL Trophy games for the Under 21s in the defeats to Oxford United and Bristol Rovers, as well as playing regularly in Premier League 2.
Karlo Ziger: The Croatian goalkeeper has been an unused substitute for the senior team on three occasions already this season, having deputised for the injured Kepa and Willy Caballero. He was on the bench for the games against Krasnodar, Burnley and Rennes.
Ziger is only 19 years of age but he has made his senior debut after an emergency loan to National League side Sutton United a couple of years ago. He was also a prominent figure as Chelsea made it all the way to the UEFA Youth League final in 2019.
Bryan Solhaug Fiabema: After a successful trial with the Blues, the Norwegian signed from Tromso back in January. The striker has taken very little time to settle in at his new club, having scored four goals in six Premier League 2 fixtures for the Under 23s so far this season.
Fiabema also featured in the EFL Trophy against Walsall’s senior side back in September, coming on for the last 25 minutes. He is a Norwegian Under 17 international and he looks to have a promising future at the club.
Xavier Mbuyamba: The Dutchman has yet to play for Chelsea at any level but, after leaving Barcelona to move to Stamford Bridge back in August, a lot is expected of the centre-half. Mbuyamba came through the academy at MVV Maastricht and actually has played 11 first team games in the Dutch second division, but his lack of game time following his move to Barca meant he was keen to move on. The Blues beat off stiff competition to land the Netherlands Under 19 international and it will be hoped he can progress through the ranks quickly.