Thomas Tuchel has vowed to keep a path to the first team open for academy hopefuls at Chelsea, but warned them to expect a “bumpy” road and loan spells elsewhere in bids to prove their worth.
The Blues have become famed for stockpiling talent, both in their senior squad and throughout a productive youth system.
Recent years have seen more home-grown stars given an opportunity to showcase their talents, with Tuchel saying it is his intention to look in-house for inspiration before splashing out on ready-made international performers.
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What has been said?
“Also at my last clubs it was always like this, the door is always open in my office for the coaches and the officials from the academy,” former Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain boss Tuchel has told Chelsea’s official website.