A persistent failure to nurture young and promising talent through to first-team level is seen as one of the most detrimental side effects of Roman Abramovich's Chelsea revolution, as the demand for success and temptation to utilise the owner's oil fortunes forces managers to prioritise short-term gains.

But there are signs of the situation changing for the better under Antonio Conte. He's already made use of the Blues' globe-spanning loan army - something Jose Mourinho continually overlooked - revitalising Victor Moses in a new-found wing-back role and issuing 21-year-old Nathaniel Chalobah his Premier League debut alongside 20-year-old Ola Aina.

Whilst his predecessors were all unwilling, it appears the current Stamford Bridge gaffer is prepared to take a gamble on Chelsea's lesser-known starlets, rather than using the transfer market as his only source of recruitment.

With that in mind, we take a look at FOUR Chelsea youngsters who could make their first-team debuts this season.

Ike Ugbo

Recently promoted from the U-18s, striker Ike Ugbo has enjoyed a strong start to his career at U-23 level.

Indeed, the teenager is the development squad's top scorer across all competitions, netting thrice in Premier League II and twice during a 3-2 win over Exeter in the EFL Trophy.

He also boasts five in 15 for England's U-17s and with the Blues' first-team strike force limited to just Diego Costa and Michy Batshuayi, an injury could see Ugbo get the nod as the fixture list begins to thicken.

Dujon Sterling

Dujon Sterling is a regular for England at youth level, with nine caps and one goal to date, and has made the third-most appearances for Chelsea's U-23 squad this season.

He can play at right-back or right midfield, making him a natural candidate for the wing-back role in Conte's 3-4-3 formation, and it's incredibly telling of the 17-year-old's ability that he's playing above his age group for both club and country.

He already looks capable of competing with the first-team physically, with an abundance of pace and power, and certainly isn't afraid to put his foot in.

Josimar Quintero

Imported from Barcelona's renowned La Masia academy in 2014, much anticipation surrounded Josimar Quintero's arrival.

The Ecuador U-20 probably hasn't met those expectations yet and hasn't been an automatic starter at U-23 level so far this season, albeit still making nine appearances in Premier League II and the EFL Trophy.

But now 19-years-of-age and edging towards the expiration of his contract next summer, the attacking midfielder could soon find himself partaking in a sink-or-swim exercise with the first-team.

Mason Mount

Mason Mount may be just 17 years of age but he represents exactly what Chelsea's first team will lose should John Terry hang up his boots at the end of the season - namely, a one-team man who's been at the club since childhood.

Indeed, Mount joined Chelsea's academy when he was six and has now progressed to the development squad, appearing eleven times already this season and missing just six minutes of their EFL Trophy campaign. He's an exciting, technical talent and fantastic passer of the ball, but admittedly seems a little slight in build.