Chelsea have spent a lucrative amount of money since Todd Boehly assumed ownership of the club last year, but could look to the esteemed Cobham Academy in order to replace one first-team star seemingly closer to the exit than ever before at Stamford Bridge.

Despite forking out over £550m on new additions, Chelsea might be set to unleash their next big midfielder from the ranks at the Cobham Academy, with dynamic midfielder Harvey Vale impressing of late.

With Vale looking to secure minutes for the first-team with greater regularity now that he approaches his 20th birthday, his ascension could coincide favourably with the prospective departure of a cemented figure at Stamford Bridge.

A recent report from the Daily Mail claims that Chelsea have now halted contract talks with Mason Mount, who is apparently looking to triple his current £80k-per-week wages.

A breakthrough in negotiations does not appear to be forthcoming at present, with the 24-year-old having already rejected a proposal, and should an agreement fail to materialise, separate reports from the likes of transfer guru Fabrizio Romano state that Liverpool might be poised to pounce on the player if an apt opportunity arises.

And Vale could certainly adopt the role in the Blues' burgeoning squad, capable on the offensive left flank and in a more central midfield role, much like Mount, the 19-year-old has impressed thus far across the maiden period of his career, and could soon earn regular shots for action under Graham Potter, who has been known to lay trust in the younger members of his teams before.

A player who has been "impressing" - as lauded by Henry Winter - for some time now, Vale has scored three goals and served two assists from just four appearances in the Premier League 2 this term, having scored five times and registered three assists from 22 appearances in the competition last year.

Midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek was impressed with the 19-year-old after his substitute appearance for the senior squad during last season's 3-2 FA Cup victory over EFL Championship outfit Luton Town, with the young ace coming on and looking threatening with his pace and ball-playing prowess.

Loftus-Cheek said: "He did really well, he held his own against some physical and strong players.

"He didn't look out of place at all. Well done Harvey, I'm sure it felt natural to him. It looked very natural. Hopefully he can kick on now."

The Athletic's Liam Twomey remarked over Vale's apparent ease in gelling together with Potter's squad, saying "Harvey Vale looks at home at this level and that’s not nothing" after he made a cameo against Brentford last season. 

And with the maestro penning a new three-year deal with the west London club in September, he is evidently entrusted with the confidence in his skill set and blossoming into a player of Premier League-level capabilities.

While the majority of Chelsea's young stars fail to earn sustained prominence within the first-team fold, Vale is certainly of the mould to nurture his ability into one of the side's most dynamic members, and if given the opportunity to flourish, he might just take it.

From a young kid who had "begged" his mother to change his name to Ronaldo, he is now beginning to make his own name in the game. Such is the funny nature of football, perhaps it won't be too long before Chelsea supporters are wishing they were called Vale.