Academy prospects and trust in sporting directors
[BBC] [Getty Images] We asked you to put some questions to our Chelsea reporter Nizaar Kinsella during the international break. In the first part of Friday's Q&A, the focus is on Chelsea's academy prospects. Chris asked: A few years ago it seemed like we had a good bunch of academy players coming through, especially when Frank Lampard was somewhat forced to utilise them.
Are there any exciting prospects coming through? The youth we're currently buying seem so far from the standard we require. Nizaar answered: It is worth looking at forwards Shim Mheuka and Jesse Derry, who have scored 23 and 12 goals in 30 and 29 games respectively.
Also, 17-year-old Ryan Kavuma-McQueen has been outstanding in under-18s football and he still looks like one of the strongest attacking players at under-21 level. Reggie Walsh, who was "loved" by former boss Enzo Maresca, continues to perform well. Mahdi Nicoll Jazuli, who is 16 years old, also looks highly promising - and keep an eye on 16-year-old Reggie Watson.
Not a Chelsea fan? Follow your Premier League club on BBC Sport Shaun asked: Is there any possibility that the performance of the sporting directors is under review? Nizaar answered: It is something I've looked into before, but there has never been any indication they would be reviewed for what fans increasingly see as underperformance.
They would argue that they have reduced the wage bill, balanced the books and still won a couple of trophies last season. They felt they were making progress under Maresca, but his decision to effectively walk away left them taking a backward step before they could move forward again. People inside Chelsea believe they have recruited well in many areas, with some wastage inevitable at a big club.