CHELSEA are struggling so badly to recruit youngsters they are turning to EFL cast-offs.
That's the claim as parents of wonderkids worry the Blues' £553million spree in the last two transfer windows will limit chances for academy players.
The Mail say Chelsea are even in talks to recruit two young players being freed by Championship clubs – just to boost numbers in their Under-21 squad.
It's the latest hint of problems for the Blues at academy level.
The U-21s are second In Premier League 2 but below that there are issues.
Chelsea won the FA Youth Cup five years in a row from 2014 to 2018.
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But since then won they have reached just one final, losing 3-2 to Manchester City in 2020.
And their hopes of luring future stars have reportedly been dented by manager Graham Potter's incredible buying in January.
The under-fire manager brought in Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernández for a £115million British record, plus £88m Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhailo Mudryk.
Six other men also came in, including a £10m loan deal for Atletico Madrid wideman Joao Felix.
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David Datro Fofana, Benoît Badiashile, Andrey Santos, Noni Madueke and Malo Gusto took Chelsea's spending in that last transfer window to £323m.
And a string of big-name academy products face uncertain summers – even England star Mason Mount.
Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are other Stamford Bridge midfielders who could move on, not least because they are seeking more regular starts.
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