Three Chelsea youngsters who will be looking to shine under Antonio Conte

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Nathaniel Chalobah

One midfielder who may find this season will be his last hope of breaking into the Chelsea first-team squad is Nathaniel Chalobah. The 21-year-old has been with Chelsea since 2005 and has gradually moved his way up the ladder of the the club. However, since graduating from the youth team in 2012, he has repeatedly been sent out on loan, enduring spells with varying levels of success.

Chalobah spent last season on loan at Napoli in Serie A, seemingly a great move to a prestigious club for the youngster. He struggled to hold a consistent run in the team, and as a result only managed nine appearances. It was a loan spell that promised plenty, but Chalobah ultimately it proved to be a steep learning curve in his young career.

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Despite his struggles last season, there are still plenty of reasons why not only a club of Napoli’s stature decided to bring him in on loan, but why Chelsea are keen to keep hold of Nathaniel Chalobah. As he has proven during loan spells at Watford and Middlesbrough, and also at England U-21 level, his tall and athletic build make him a driving force in the midfield. The youngster does not tend to score many goals, but when he does, they’re scorchers!

More of a defensively-minded central midfielder, he is exceptionally quick in the tackle and is happy to sit back and let the creative forces strut their stuff. With Nemanja Matic rumoured to be leaving The Bridge this summer (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3706037/Chelsea-midfielder-Nemanja-Matic-Juventus-shopping-list-search-Paul-Pogba-replacement.html), a space may well open up for a defensive minded midfielder in the Chelsea first team. It has been a long time coming, but could this be Chalobah’s chance?