Chelsea have stepped up their activity in the transfer market once more this summer as Roman Abramovich attempts to build another squad capable of challenging for the Premier League title. But instead of procuring new talent from elsewhere Chelsea should look no further than two players already at the club; Daniel Sturridge and Romelu Lukaku. But will the duo be offered such a chance to play an integral role at the club next season?

Sturridge was arguably the best thing to come out of Andre Villas-Boas' short spell at Stamford Bridge. His rapid acceleration provided Chelsea with an adventurous outlet on the flanks, filling a void in the first team that the likes of Salomon Kalou and Florent Malouda failed to provide. Yet under Roberto Di Matteo the youngster found himself frozen out and was regularly consigned to the substitutes bench.

This ultimately led to his absence from the England squad for Euro 2012, despite ending the season as the club's joint-top goal scorer with 11 league goals. Cutting in from the right flank Sturridge proved to be a lethal weapon, if at times too greedy, yet the player himself admitted he would prefer to be playing through the middle.

But with the signings of Marko Marin, Eden Hazard and possibly Hulk, Sturridge could now find his game time limited further in the wide areas. Unhappy at playing in the position, he can hardly be joyous at the prospect of fleeting substitute appearances there.

It seems that despite the departure of Didier Drogba the 22-year-old will not rise up the pecking order for the solitary striker role. Fernando Torres' looks like he may be on the verge of ending his abysmal two year spell on the football pitch and will be a shoe-in up front for the Blues. Though it would almost be unsurprising for his form to swiftly evaporate again, an air of uncertainty still lingers over Sturridge's future.

So what must Romelu Lukaku be thinking now? After an £18million move to Stamford Bridge the Belgian youngster was given just one start, on the final day of the season, and made only eight league appearances. At such a crucial stage in his development he has been restricted to playing football in the reserves. He declared that he would never forgive Villas-Boas for excluding him from the first-team set-up, but whether Roberto Di Matteo will involve him heavier remains to be seen.

In the 2009/10 season at just 16-years-old Lukaku was the highest scorer in the Belgian Pro League for Anderlecht. It is therefore understandable why Chelsea were so eager to bring him to west London. What is lamentable is that he is more likely to go out on loan then figure in the Blues' first team next season. Having already spent such a vast sum on an incredibly exciting talent, why are the club insistent on turning to the transfer market again this summer?

Both Sturridge and Lukaku are two of the most exciting prospects that Chelsea currently possess, yet the club appear more than willing to let them leave. The Englishman has been linked with a move to Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool this summer while Lukaku is expected to be sent away on loan. There is no need.

Despite being just 19 years of age he possesses incredible strength and aerial ability that make him a natural successor to Drogba. The added competition of Fernando Torres for a starting spot would provide the striker with an undeniable motivation to prove himself in training. But for Sturridge there does not seem to be such a positive future and for his personal development a move away from the Bridge would do him better.

It is a crying shame that these two youngsters may well be crowded out of a potential role at Chelsea. Both are undeniable talents, but the club seem far more intent on purchasing new talent to revolutionise the squad rather than bringing through younger players who are already on the books. With the squad the west-Londoners are assembling there is no doubt that they will be an intriguing watch next season, it is just unfortunate that Lukaku and Sturridge will play a minimal role at best.

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