Why Chelsea have signed so many Man City academy graduates
Chelsea Football Club has significantly increased its recruitment of players developed in Manchester City's academy system. Analysts suggest this trend is driven by the success of former City graduates like Cole Palmer and the influence of key recruitment staff.
Why it matters
This highlights a shift in Premier League recruitment strategies and the financial impact of academy-developed talent on transfer market valuations.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Morgan Rogers joined Manchester City from West Brom in 2019 and stayed until 2023 before joining Middlesbrough for £1m
Football reporter Published 22 July 2026, 07:13 BST Chelsea not only lost to Manchester City in the 2020 FA Youth Cup final, they also had a glimpse of their own future within the opposition ranks.
So much so that Chelsea 's first-team squad in the new season could contain twice as many players who graduated from City's academy as have come through their own system.
The latest addition is club record £117m signing Morgan Rogers, who scored against the Blues' Under-18s that night six years ago.
Fellow City academy graduate Cole Palmer was also on target in City's 3-2 victory at St George's Park, while Liam Delap led the line.
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