Rating the First Team Chances of Chelseas Young Stars After Impressive Grimsby Win

Chelsea emulated Germany's World Cup heroes of 2014 by slapping their opponents 7-1 on Wednesday night, except on a much smaller stage, against much weaker opposition than Brazil - no disrespect to Grimsby Town.

The Blues cruised to victory over the League Two side at Stamford Bridge in the third round of the Carabao Cup. The romp will be a welcome relief for Frank Lampard as it constituted his first success at his adopted home since taking the managerial reins in July.

Typical of his tenure so far, it was the kids who were central to a fine attacking display as Reece James, Billy Gilmour and Marc Guehi shone on debut, while Callum Hudson-Odoi was also impressive on his return from an Achilles injury.

Lampard smiles like a Cheshire cat, and he will be purring like one too after this dazzling display by the Yung Bluez. But which of the academy products has done enough to justify a starting place in Super Frank's first choice XI? We at 90min have taken a look.

Marc Guehi

Chelsea's defence has been uncharacteristically leaky so far this season, demonstrated by the fact that they have shipped 13 Premier League goals so far this season and are yet to keep a clean sheet. The last time they failed to keep a single clean sheet in their opening seven games to a top-flight season was in 1990/91.

As such, Lampard is likely open to new options at the back with the likes of Kurt Zouma and Andreas Christensen flattering to deceive on occasion and Antonio Rudiger struggling with injuries. Fikayo Tomori has shown that the chance is there for young players to break into the back line, and Marc Guehi will want to follow his example.

The 19-year-old will probably have to be more patient than others in this list, but he was solid against Grimsby. Although he was found wanting from the long ball that resulted in the visitors' goal, he recovered and dealt well with the physical challenge, winning headers and using his strength.

Reece James

To say his debut was hotly anticipated would be a huge understatement. Chelsea fans have been, quite frankly, gagging to see Reece James in action having been left salivating at his performances on loan at Wigan in the Championship.

Considering he is a right-back, you would expect supporters to have been somewhat underwhelmed by whatever performance he did eventually put in. Not the case. James was in exhilarating form, picking up where he left off last season.

Predictably he was busier in the attacking third than he was at the back, but he took the opportunity to boast his attacking talent with aplomb. He made an excellent run off the ball before receiving it and crossing for Michy Batshuayi to make it 2-0, then beat his man brilliantly before providing a pinpoint cross for Kurt Zouma to prod home for 4-1 in the second period. As if that wasn't enough, James capped a fantastic debut with a wonderful curling finish from the edge of the area to make it five for the home side.

Pick of the bunch? 樂

 @ReeceJames_24 pic.twitter.com/5d5no4v8oK
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 26, 2019

Given Cesar Azpilicueta's erratic start to the season, James' explosive performance could go some way to securing James a starting berth. Of course, that must be caveated by the consideration that this display came against a League Two side, but Lampard will undoubtedly have been very impressed by what he saw. James will have to be patient, but his time may well come soon.

Callum Hudson-Odoi

It speaks volumes of Chelsea's current situation that CHO is already rated among their best players at the tender age of 18. Of the academy products, Hudson-Odoi is the closest to being a regular in the first-team picture, just as he was towards the end of last season when Eden Hazard was still about.

He was typically bright on his return from an Achilles injury, tormenting his full-back and getting on the scoresheet in the dying embers of the match, powering home at the near post after a jinking run on the left flank.

Of the Blues' academy graduates, he is the closest to breaking into the first-team picture and it is perhaps more a question of when than if. There is space for him in the team too, with Willian and Christian Pulisic hardly setting the world alight. That could mean a front line of Hudson-Odoi, Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount...an unthinkable prospect under the tutelage of managers past.

Billy Gilmour

Bloody hell, what a gem Chelsea have uncovered here. Lampard has unknowingly, preemptively got one over on his old adversary Steven Gerrard. Pinched from Stevie's Rangers in 2017 in a deal Chelsea will probably eventually get a transfer ban for in the future, the young Scot was imperious against the Mariners.

Just 18, he is already so accomplished on the ball and appears to have learnt a lot from Jorginho in terms of his passing and movement. He was constantly getting Chelsea moving forward, either with defence-splitting passes or driving runs. If he continues on this trajectory, there is no telling what heights he could hit.

Yes, again this was against Grimsby, but his cameos so far this season suggest he has the ability to provide Lampard another option. His technique sits somewhere in between Jorginho's and Mateo Kovacic's - the former Chelsea do not have any real cover for. Definitely one for the future, and maybe even the present.

Source : 90min