Chelsea confirmed a couple of days ago that there’s a big exit happening at Stamford Bridge this summer.

The Blues announced that Neil Bath is stepping down after more than 30 years at the club.

He’s filled a number of different roles at Chelsea in the last three decades, mostly around different areas of the academy.

Bath has most recently been the club’s Director of Football Development and Operations, but his departure from West London has now been officially confirmed.

When you consider how successful Chelsea’s academy has been in recent years in developing future stars, Bath deserves huge plaudits for all the work behind the scenes.

Mason Mount reacts to Neil Bath exit

Mason Mount, who left Chelsea to join Manchester United last summer, is one of the biggest success stories from the academy at Cobham in recent years.

The 25-year-old attacking midfielder has reacted on social media to the news of Bath’s departure.

Mount wrote via his Instagram story: “Neil, thank you for your incredible leadership and dedication while I was in the academy.

“It was because of your commitment to nurturing talent that massively influenced and shaped the academy’s achievements.

“Wishing you all the best in the future.”

Success from the Chelsea academy

A big reason why Mount’s transfer exit last summer didn’t go down too well with fans is because he’s a homegrown talent from the academy.

Thankfully, the current Blues first-team squad still includes individuals that started out in the club’s youth system.

Club captain Reece James is one of them. The same goes for Conor Gallagher and Levi Colwill, too.

Let’s hope that the pathway from the academy to the senior group remains open and continues to deliver success stories.

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