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Who will be first Chelsea graduate since John Terry to hold down first-team spot?

Who will be the next Chelsea youngster to make it big?

After years of success at academy level, there are several Chelsea youngsters ready to emulate John Terry and hold down a first-team spot, but who are they?

For a club with the status of Chelsea, with the facilities at their disposal at Cobham Training Centre, all overseen by a wealth of coaching prowess, it is somewhat remarkable that Terry - who made his debut in 1998 - remains the beacon of hope for any youngster hoping to break into the first team.

There has been a plethora of young talent at Cobham, but most are sent out on loan before being let go, meaning Terry is still the last academy graduate to go on to first-team success. Some have been handed the odd opportunity - the likes of Bertrand Traore, Nathaniel Chalobah and Ruben Loftus-Cheek - but none are at the forefront of Antonio Conte's current plans.

28 Jul 1999:  John Terry of Chelsea in action during a Pre-Season Friendly against Omagh played in Omagh, Northern Ireland.  \ Mandatory Credit: Michael Co
Image: John Terry is the last academy graduate to succeed at Stamford Bridge

Who is the next crop of talent waiting in the wings? Three FA Cup Youth Cup successes in a row, which could soon be four ahead of the Youth Cup final second leg against Manchester City on Wednesday, suggests there are plenty of suitors. Here, we look at five players who could become a Stamford Bridge star.

Jay Dasilva

Ben Reeves of Milton Keynes Dons tackles Charlton's Jay Dasilva
Image: Jay Dasilva (right) is currently on loan at Charlton

At just over 5'5", Jay Dasilva is slight in stature, and such a lack of obvious physical presence would have seen Dasilva cast aside in years gone by, but with diminutive stars such as N'Golo Kante excelling, operating in the spaces, sashaying through the tightest of gaps, such a figure is sought-after in today's game.

Dasilva is very much of this ilk. Operating mainly as a full-back but perfectly adept on the left wing, the 19-year-old has an impressive trophy haul already, with two UEFA Youth League winners' medals as well as three Youth Cup crowns to his name. He and team-mate Jake Clarke-Salter are the only players to accomplish three Youth Cup successes since five of Manchester United's Busby Babes.

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His defensive skills are certainly well-suited to Antonio Conte's system. Dasilva loves to operate wide, trusting his pace and instincts to cut off runs inside. Across a back five, he could perfectly fulfil the wing-back role Conte loves to deploy.

Dasilva has spent the last few months on loan at Charlton, where he has featured nine times.

Tammy Abraham

Tammy Abraham
Image: Tammy Abraham is the Championship's second top goalscorer

One player who really has excelled as part of Chelsea's loan policy is Tammy Abraham - a player who has scored goals, goals and more goals throughout his career.

The 19-year-old scored 74 goals in 98 matches across all competitions for Chelsea's various youth sides, before featuring very briefly for the first team at the end of last season, with Chelsea having little to play for.

The next step was to get Abraham regular football, and he could not have done more to impress, as the Bristol City loanee has weighed in with 23 goals in the Championship this campaign, bettered only by Leeds' Chris Wood. The next logical step, with Chelsea's striker options a little thin on the ground, is giving Abraham his chance to shine on the big stage. He hasn't let anyone down thus far.

Jake Clarke-Salter

Jake Clarke-Salter has impressed Terry with his form
Image: Jake Clarke-Salter has impressed Terry with his form

Jake Clarke-Salter joined Chelsea as a nine-year-old, and has developed into a fine player. The 19-year-old couldn't be excluded from this list, as he has been tipped for the top by the very man all these fledglings are trying to outdo.

Clarke-Salter came on as a late substitute back in March 2016 against Aston Villa for the briefest of first-team experiences, and received glowing acclaim from Terry in the aftermath.

"Jake has a great attitude," Terry said. "I remember watching him a couple of years ago being in control of the game and a really vocal player. He reminds me a bit of myself."

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"[Jake] is doing great and I hope he goes on to take my position and get in the first team. It was great for him to make his debut."

High praise indeed. Part of the reason Conte has not tried to persuade Terry to stay on is Clarke-Salter's progress, according to reports. His experiences on loan at Bristol Rovers will only aid his rise.

Charly Musonda

Charly Musonda
Image: Charly Musonda is seemingly in Antonio Conte's plans

Another player who has really made his mark while out of loan is Charly Musonda. The Belgium U21 international joined La Liga outfit Real Betis in January last year, and immediately became a big hit with fans.

Musonda's form earned him another year in Spain, but then Betis coach Gus Poyet often overlooked the 20-year-old. Fans sided with Musonda, and Poyet was soon on his way out of Seville, but Musonda sustained a few injuries and was recalled by the Blues.

Nonetheless, in the short time that Conte has worked with the vibrant attacking midfielder, he likes what he sees.

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"Charly is a good prospect," Conte said earlier this year. "Musonda has the quality to become a great player. And for this reason, I think can be a good opportunity for him, but also for me, for the club.

"To work for five months with him. If he shows me this month he deserves to play, he'll go into the team."

Mason Mount

Mason Mount (right) in action for Chelsea development squad
Image: Mason Mount (right) in action for Chelsea development squad

The youngest of this list having turned 18 in January, Mason Mount is very much the jewel in the crown of the latest youth side, having scored the vital away goal in the first leg of this season's Youth Cup against Manchester City last week.

With a low centre of gravity, Mount operates from a No 10 or a wider attacking position.

The attacking midfielder, who rose to national attention on England U17s duty in November 2015 with a wonder goal and assist in a 2-1 win over Germany, is not shorn of confidence, and has a penchant for a cheeky finish. Such supreme faith in his own ability will mean he is well equipped to hold his own in the limelight of the Premier League.

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