Chelsea: 10 British Youngsters Who Deserve Their Chance At Stamford Bridge

8. Nathaniel Chalobah (CD, CM)

Perhaps the most immediately recognisable of the current crop of British youngsters on Chelsea's books, Nathaniel Chalobah built a hell of a reputation for himself as the midfield lynchpin of Watford's promotional push in the Championship last year. Under the guidance of Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola, Chalobah was brought forward from centre back to apply his natural ball-playing skills and authority in the middle of the park. It proved an inspired decision, and of Watford's many, many loanees last year, Chalobah - and perhaps Udinese's Matej Vydra, now struggling to get a game at West Bromwich Albion - was the one to really make his mark, to such an extent that he was a fixture of Chelsea's pre-season tour and even had Mourinho admitting he'd like to make him a member of Chelsea's first team squad... one day. Many Blues fans were left baffled by the manager's decision to recall the ailing Michael Essien instead, whose contribution to the Chelsea title push this year has mostly consisted of gifting Sunderland a goal before getting booked and hauled off at half-time. Unfortunately, Chelsea chose to send Chalobah back down to the Championship this season - rumour had it that the club's insistence that Premier League suitors cover his increased wages proved off-putting - and despite getting on the scoresheet against Millwall last Tuesday, his opportunities have been limited even with Forest's present lack of defensive alternatives. He wouldn't be the first outstanding young Chelsea talent betrayed by a poorly planned loan move, as the next candidate proves, but will hopefully be able to put his phenomenal potential to good use when his Forest contract concludes in January. In full flight, Chalobah looks like a nascent version of the player Essien used to be: powerful, quick, as punchy in the challenge as rampaging forward to slam in a scorcher from distance. Intriguingly, he's equally adept filling in at centre back, which may be a good option for him given the wealth of young talent Chelsea already have in midfield. Cross your fingers he's given that opportunity, in whichever position it may be.