Chelsea legend Mario Melchiot is likening Frank Lampard's new look side to Ajax.
The Blues are in the midst of a transfer ban, while they lost Eden Hazard to Real Madrid.
It has meant that in his first summer in charge, Lampard blooded several youngsters into the squad.
The likes of Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount are now key figures for the Blues.
"Chelsea are bringing in the former players to coach, who will help the push for youth that they want to bring through. If I was a young player at Chelsea, then I would be so excited. You have a coach who will give you an opportunity because his own opportunity at a young age," Melchiot told Goal.com.
"In his mind, it makes sense to do that. He also can't bring in new players for at least a year so he has to use what he has around him. This is your chance. I have been a long advocate that Chelsea should use their youth player because they win so much at youth level.
"Now, I am also going to be honest with the young guys, if you don't take the chance, then you can't make excuses if you don't make it. This is your year. The ones in the first team or just below have a big chance.
"I saw Frank Lampard was watching the Under 23s. He knows he might need those players. This is their chance. We do it at Ajax so that's our model. Chelsea are more like Ajax this season. They can't make big signings but the smart thing to do is promote the young boys.
"If they qualify again for Europe, it is a big success. Even the Europa League. Asking to win the league is silly. They can build on a European finish. They will build on the young players, then sign more alongside a group of successful homegrown talent.
"Bringing through homegrown talent is a success in itself. You see Chelsea's youngsters won a lot of trophies but the real trophy is now that they are being used."
