Marina Granovskaia handed double Chelsea contract reminder that can't be ignored

Want a good evening's entertainment? Then make sure to catch Chelsea in this season's FA Youth Cup.

There was a 3-2 win after extra-time against Watford. A 20-minute comeback from three goals down to beat Liverpool. And last night, a 3-2 victory over Blackpool at Stamford Bridge.

That booked Chelsea's place in the last four where they will face either Blackburn Rovers or Nottingham Forest. A record-equalling tenth Youth Cup triumph remains a distinct possibility for Ed Brand and his players.

Key to that ambition is Harvey Vale, who captained Chelsea against Blackpool and scored a stunning equaliser from 20 yards in the opening period. There is an assuredness to the 18-year-old's game, a confidence that has almost certainly been gained by his continued first-team exposure this season.

Vale has already made three senior appearances for Chelsea; two in the Carabao Cup and one in the FA Cup. He has also trained regularly under the watch of Thomas Tuchel since the turn of the year.

It was the Blues' head coach who reportedly decided against letting Vale leave on loan at the end of the January transfer window. Promotion-chasing Huddersfield Town were keen to take the academy graduate – and eventually pivoted to borrowing the equally talented Tino Anjorin – but Tuchel wanted the option of using Vale during the remainder of the campaign.

While the youngster was on the bench for the Champions League win over Lille, he hasn't been afforded any senior minutes over the past month. Given Chelsea's schedule, which included the Club World Cup, perhaps that is no surprise.

However, Vale is ready for more than Youth Cup outings and Under-23s football. And if the past 12 months have taught Chelsea anything, there will be plenty of