CHELSEA are on a mission to land the best young British stars as Brexit has led to restrictions on overseas recruitment.
Frank Lampard’s side have been busy developing relationships around the UK with junior teams including Newcastle City Juniors.
English clubs will no longer be allowed to sign players from abroad until they turn 18 due to Britain’s Brexit deal.
A points-based system will also be introduced to cap the number of foreign players that are able to play in the UK.
But Chelsea – who are ninth in the Premier League table – have come up with an ingenious way to beat the system.
Lampard’s team have been in contact with junior teams across the UK in order to secure the best up-and-coming stars.
The Blues have created a link with Newcastle City Juniors – who train just three miles from St James’ Park.
Chelsea have even loaned a state of the art camera system to the youth club to allow them to record training sessions and games.
According to the Mail, a spokesman from Stamford Bridge said: “Establishing and maintaining good relationships with grassroots clubs up and down the country is something we have always been keen on.”
But Lampard’s side are not the only team in the top-flight that have decided to turn their attention to development clubs in the UK.
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Southampton and Brighton are looking to employ scouts to cover the North East area.
Chelsea have also started to establish a relationship with a junior team close to Bristol City.
The Premier League rulebook states that these relationships between clubs are not allowed to become official.
Teams are not allowed to have development centres that are located more than an hour away from their club’s base.
Chelsea, and any other clubs that plan to do the same, will also have to wait until players turn 14 to sign them.
