From academy to legend: Chelsea's homegrown heroes
Today at 09:12 AM
Chelsea is a club that spends a lot of money on transfers. The Blues have been paying big money for new signings since Roman Abramovich purchased the club in 2003 and again when Todd Boehly came in 2022. But it's also not right to say they don't care about youth development at Stamford Bridge. Some incredible talents have emerged from west London over the years. So here's to Chelsea's heroes produced at home.
The Importance of the academy
Academies are environments that help mould a player's character and abilities. They play a major role in creating all-around people. They give knowledge as well as life lessons which prepare young players for life after football. This method equips them to succeed irrespective of whether they become professional footballers or not. Chelsea's Academy has had a lot of success in producing top-flight talent. Chelsea's homegrown heroes have become key figures in the team's success, and experts regularly analyse their performances, including those who track trends in sports bets. Moreover, many graduates find success at other clubs, not just Chelsea or England.
John Terry
Can anyone argue that there has been a better player at Chelsea since 1992? The fans who remember the 1960s will say Peter Osgood and Ron Harris, and quite rightly, given what they achieved at Stamford Bridge. But in terms of trophies alone, nobody in Chelsea's history can touch John Terry. He came through during the club's most successful period. Terry's legacy? Five Premier League trophies, four FA Cup trophies, three League Cup trophies and on top of it all, one Champions League title and Europe League title. All this while the Blues were spending big with Roman Abramovich's millions. Yet, Terry was different – he was one of their own. That is why he is still called "captain" to this day.
Ryan Bertrand
Here's an interesting fact for you: after being sold by Chelsea to Southampton for about £10m in the 2014/15 season, Bertrand has been successful in making them spend £61m on finding a replacement for Ashley Cole. Looking at what he has done on the South Coast, it is hard to understand why they did not just save that cash and give him a chance to be part of the first team. In addition to winning the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012 as the only player ever to make his debut in the final of this tournament, Bertrand is also a full international, having earned 17 caps for England.
Jody Morris
True, Morris should have done better with his career. When Dennis Wise left Chelsea in 2003, Ken Bates announced Morris as a future captain. He joined St Johnstone after leaving Chelsea in the same year Roman Abramovich bought it. Bates had been so impressed by Morris that he was sure he would become captain one day. It is true that he did more than just fight, although it must be said – there were few English midfielders who showed such skill at that time. Every part of his game looked polished, except when he went off the pitch. The problem with Morris' career is summed up by those words: "should have". Nevertheless, Morris is still one of the best "products" of Chelsea's Academy.
Andreas Christensen
A Chelsea player since 2012, when he joined as a 16-year-old from Brondby, the defender has won two FA Youth Cups and two UEFA Youth Leagues and spent two seasons on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach. After that, he returned to Chelsea and stayed there until 2022, when he signed for Barcelona. The Danish midfielder has certainly enjoyed a good career so far and came out as one of the most successful players from Chelsea's academy.
Nathan Ake
A fair crack at Stamford Bridge is what Chelsea fans thought Ake deserved when he left for Bournemouth, permanently that is. He didn't play often, although he impressed when he did. Instead, he languished on the fringes of the first team, because the club valued only established stars. The second problem was with the Blues' win-at-all-costs mentality. It doesn't always make room for development. Kevin De Bruyne and others were similarly denied opportunities until they were forced to leave. But unlike some predecessors who have also learned this lesson, the Dutch center-back still made a good career.
