A lot of people at Chelsea have been left stunned by recent news that has been confirmed by the club.

The Blues have not been afraid to undergo plenty of change in all aspects of the club ever since the new owners took over.

Only Reece James and Ben Chilwell remain from the side who won the Champions League just three years ago.

After being part of the club for more than 30 years though, it was announced he'd be stepping down from his role.

James and Gallagher react to Neil Bath departure A number of first team players have reacted to the news, with academy graduate Conor Gallagher telling TalkSPORT:

"I honestly can not speak highly enough of Neil Bath and Jim Fraser. I've not messaged them yet because I've only just found out. What they've done for Chelsea's academy is mindblowing. We've been the best academy over the last 15 years."

MORE CHELSEA STORIES

Skipper James, who is also a product of the academy process, simply posted on his Instagram story: "Legend."

There is now a lot of uncertainty and in some cases fear about what is to come for the academy from now.

The Blues have made it no secret they are more interested at this stage in signing the next big thing from around the world.

Chelsea sign Kendry Paez and Estevao Willian The highlight addition up to now has been Kendry Paez, who showed his real quality at the age of just 17 in Ecuador's recent Copa America run.

However, his quality could well be set to be trumped already by the signing of Estevao Willian. Both players are set to join up with the first team in 12 months' time.

The future for someone like Rio Ngumoha, who has been tipped to reach that level too, does not look so bright right now, and Chelsea may regret losing him if he does leave the club.