In the weeks after Chelsea captured the club’s fourth Premier League title, Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and Didier Drogba were the names on everyone’s lips.

By this time next year, I guarantee a new name will be on the tip of your tongue: Isaiah Brown.

Brown has been working his way up in Chelsea’s youth ranks since 2013. He saw his first bit of first team action with the Blues in the late-season fixture against West Brom on May 18, brought on as a substitute for the last 11 minutes.

The England U19 international may be only 18-years-old, but don’t be fooled into conflating youth with inexperience. Brown has had a glittering career that began at West Brom when he became the second-youngest player to debut for the Premier League in May 2013. Jose Mourinho obviously saw something in the youngster, and swiped him from the Baggies at the end of the campaign.

In his first season at Stamford Bridge playing for the Blues' U21 team, Brown tallied an impressive eight goals and four assists, culminating in a penalty that saw the Blues advance past Manchester City in the playoff semi-final.

Brown’s hard work paid off, and he was selected to Mourinho’s training camp squad in the summer of 2014. The forward was officially promoted to the first team squad in February 2015, and went on to captain Chelsea’s U19s to a UEFA Youth League Championship in April.

Lest anyone think that success on club youth teams doesn’t translate into real talent, let it be known that Brown has experience on an international level as well. He’s scored six goals in 16 career appearances for England.

At nearly six feet tall, Brown is a strong, physical presence on the pitch. He usually plays on the left wing, but has the versatility to play in all three positions up front, even in the No. 10 role. He is keen on both passing the ball and on creating shooting chances for himself, but is overall an unselfish player. His height makes him an aerial threat, too.

Brown’s acceleration through the ranks show that Mourinho does see potential in him, and his adaptability is certainly something that will help ease the Blues’ rigid style of play. With Chelsea retaining most of their championship squad, Brown will have to prove himself to earn a regular spot in Mourinho's outfit. He could have a huge impact on the flanks in a 4-3-2-1 formation alongside Hazard and behind Costa or Loic Remy, and perhaps eventually could be deployed as centre forward himself.

With Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham all bolstering their squads in an attempt to challenge for the Premier League next season, Chelsea might not be able to stick to the same old formula and defend their title. Instead of sitting back and waiting for those challenges to start pouring in, the Blues must take initiative to develop young players as reinforcements.

And when the title defence does begin, one man will be ready. His name? You’ll already know it. Isaiah Brown.

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