Academy stars demonstrate their value through extravagant expenditures Chelsea

COBHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Ben Chilwell, Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, Trevoh Chalobah, César Azpilicueta, Reece James and Conor Gallagher of Chelsea celebrate winning a mini tournament during a training session at Chelsea Training Ground on August 12, 2022 in Cobham, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Todd Boehly's first summer as owner of Chelsea was all about high-profile acquisitions, but at the moment, the club's youth talents are stealing the show.

During the most recent transfer window, the Blues spent more than £250 million on new players as the American businessman sought to usher in a new era at Stamford Bridge.

However, Cobham alums Reece James, Mason Mount, Conor Gallagher, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Conor Gallagher, and Armando Broja have received a lot of praise since Graham Potter took over as manager last month.

We highlight the Blues' homegrown players in advance of tonight's matchup with AC Milan at the San Siro.

"One of the best in the world" James

James, 22, has arguably been Chelsea's best performance throughout the current season and keeps pushing the boundaries for his hometown team.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Reece James of Chelsea in action during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on August 27, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

The England international was one of the few players to stand out under Thomas Tuchel's predecessor this season, and his commanding performances on the right wing have persisted under the new boss.

James put on yet another electrifying performance in a 3-0 victory over Milan last week, scoring once and dishing up an assist. Teammate and fellow academy product Trevoh Chalobah said there aren't many players in the world of football better in James' position.

We are fortunate to have him, he remarked. He is a phenomenal athlete who excels in all facets of the game. He is able to defend, score goals, and provide assists.

It's fun to play with him, I must say. I've said it since day one, but he's unquestionably among the best in the world. He has the potential to be the best in the world right now.

James' climb to prominence in West London appears to be unstoppable, and despite having signed a six-year contract with the Blues in the summer, there are still rumors that he may move on to Real Madrid.

Mount has improved.

Attacking midfielder Mount, 23, has won back-to-back Player of the Season honors and has proven to be a dependable player no matter who is in charge.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 16: Mason Mount of Chelsea celebrates after scoring their side's second goal during the Preseason Friendly match between Chelsea and Club America at Allegiant Stadium on July 16, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

The Portsmouth native would have been extremely dissatisfied with his performance during Tuchel's final few weeks and months in charge for this reason.

However, Mount has looked every bit that player again in the Blues' four games under Potter, accumulating two assists in those games across all competitions.

Mount will undoubtedly be crucial to Potter's success at Chelsea, and the playmaker and the former Brighton coach's possession-based strategy appear to be a match made in heaven.

I have zero doubts about Mason Mount, he declared. Like anything else, there are instances when the team doesn't work as well as it should, which causes the individuals to struggle as well.

"I dislike placing limitations on players. I strive to make sure they have fun watching football. I believe that when a team performs effectively, it benefits each member of the team, and that is our responsibility.

Loftus-Cheek locating his position

With the exception of injuries and loan periods, Loftus-Cheek has now spent the most of five seasons around the Chelsea first team.

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Ruben Loftus-Cheek of Chelsea battles for possession with Ibrahima Diallo of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Chelsea FC at Friends Provident St. Mary's Stadium on August 30, 2022 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

However, there has always been the impression that the midfielder hasn't quite fit in with the team.

Tuchel frequently moved him to play on the right or even occasionally at center back, but the German never had confidence in him to start every game in his preferred position of central midfield.

In the Blues' last two games, Potter has used him in just that position, forcing regulars Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic to make do with time on the bench in the former Crystal Palace and Fulham loanee's place.

Chelsea's No. 12 gave the Rossoneri precisely what they were missing with an all-action performance at Stamford Bridge last week. Milan was pursuing Chelsea for another loan move in the summer.

He looked ready for another start in the San Siro tonight after displaying his poise, physicality, and progressive running from the center of the pitch against Wolves.

New Faces

Despite being two more to roll off the Cobham assembly line, Gallagher and Broja felt like new additions after strong loan stints the previous season.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 01: Conor Gallagher of Chelsea celebrates after scoring their team's second goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea FC at Selhurst Park on October 01, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

The 22-year-old midfielder Gallagher, who played for Crystal Palace in 2021–2022, made such an impression that this summer, as an England international, he returned to Stamford Bridge.

After receiving a red card against Leicester, he did not have the best of starts, but he came off the bench to score an incredible winner back at Palace before making an impactful start against Wolves at the weekend.

Even though it seemed like a difficult assignment to establish himself as a regular starter up top given Chelsea's preference for a big name leading the line, striker Broja was another exciting addition to the team following his time at Southampton.

But his first senior goal for the Blues, a beautiful finish in the 3-0 defeat of Wolves, demonstrated that he has all the tools to become a top center forward, and the Albanian will now be desperate to buck that trend.

Promising Future

Six academy graduates appeared during the 90 minutes of the win over Wolves, which is an outstanding feat for a team with a history of dumping its prospects in favor of high-profile recruits.

And it appears that as long as Potter is in charge, there will be opportunities for other gifted young people to leave their imprint in the years to come. \ When he had won, he said: "They are crucial. They bring knowledge about the club, its demands, its culture, and what is needed in terms of the environment.

"They received excellent instruction in the institution. They play football well and are decent individuals.

Our responsibility is to enable them to realize their full potential, which is quite thrilling.

The homegrown talents are demonstrating there is place for them to thrive too, despite the fact that high-profile acquisitions will undoubtedly keep coming through the door at Stamford Bridge.