We had a slew of young nearly players though, didn't we, who coined us many millions to turn over onto the next group.
Recall us having KWP, Onomah, TOB, the other England CM who got big for his boots, Edwards, Noni seeing these failures no doubt (and the talent of Edwards, must of thought like most - if he can't make it here...).
It is an impossible scenario, however, I am fairly certain, under Chelseas structure of the past 5-6years, maybe 2-3-4 of the nearly guys we have serviced away from their ceilings, might have been PL players (Edwards and KWP are clearly that level now), good enough for squad players for us.
Our policy is/was akin to having young boxers, and only letting them spar with Pro's, never fight amateurs to toughen up, then wonder why they all break when dropped, raw, into the Prem furnace (see what many are doing with their perceptions of Scarlett, who is yet to play a single game where we are dominating, foolish posters saying "I see nothing in him").
We need big strides forward, seems the club are starting, would like to see much more in the summer (picking off 3-4 more like Devine).