It was as the January 2020 transfer window approached that fear began to grow among a large section of the Chelsea fanbase.
Having served a transfer ban the previous summer, the Blues were once again allowed to sign new players. And the concern was the array of young stars – namely Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham, Reece James, and Fikayo Tomori – that had impressed during the first half of the 2019/20 campaign would be cast aside.
"They [the fans] won't lose that feeling for the young players, they won't lose it because the young players are here to stay," a defiant Frank Lampard said in December 2019. "And the young players beneath that, if they train well enough and show enough then they'll get their opportunities because that's how I am here.
There were clear pathways established for the club's own to reach the first team. And while last summer's spending spree to bring in the likes of Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech was a return to the Chelsea norm – and somewhat necessary – Lampard and Jody Morris remained intent on promoting the very best academy graduates.
Now it appears the situation is rather different.
Not for the likes of Mount and James, who played key roles in Chelsea winning the Champions League last season. But the impact is being felt further down within the club's loan army and the youth team.
"I don't think there's any problem with that. If we're going to try and do something it will be for the improvement of the squad but if you think we're going to line up the likes of Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham, Reece James and sell them, we're not.
News that Marc Guehi is set to join Crystal Palace came as a shock to many. The 21-year-old is one of the finest defensive prospects in English football and was expected to be competing for a place in Thomas Tuchel's back three this season.
Yet having turned down a contract offer from Chelsea earlier this year as he was unwilling to get stuck in a cycle of loan moves, a transfer away became somewhat inevitable, although it has happened sooner than anyone quite expected.
At youth level, the futures of Tino Livramento, Lewis Bate and Myles Peart-Harris remain uncertain. All have been offered new lucrative contracts by Chelsea yet, football.london understands, none have signed due to concerns over whether Chelsea can offer them regular game time going forward.
That four standout academy talents have opted against agreeing new deals this year is a warning for
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