Youth & Reserves

Chelsea are Barclays Reserve League Champions. A pulsating national final at Stamford Bridge was settled by penalties after goals from Mauro Formica and Todd Kane had left both Chelsea and Blackburn at a stalemate after ninety minutes. The first six kicks were scored, but Rovers midfielder Michael Potts saw his effort stopped by Ross Turnbull, and minutes later Michael Woods converted the deciding penalty to send those who had turned…

The end of the Premier Academy League season this week saw two young Chelsea boys wear the blue shirt for the final time, as Ben Sampayo and Bobby Devyne were confirmed to be departing at the end of their contracts this summer. They will almost surely joined by Anton Rodgers, who hasn’t appeared for the club since the start of March. The trio all signed two-year youth scholarship deals in…

Chelsea brought their 2010-11 academy campaign to a close on Thursday lunchtime with a 2-1 defeat away to an impressive Charlton Athletic team. First half goals from Adebayo Azeez and Bradley Goldberg were enough to secure three points for the Addicks, who move above the Blues in the table, but a strong second half showing from the visitors threatened to take a share of the spoils. The closing weeks of…

Chelsea secured their first Reserve League crown since 1994 on Monday night with a comfortable 3-0 win against Wolves and set up a showpiece final against Manchester United or Blackburn, to be played next Monday at Stamford Bridge. Goals from George Saville, Adam Phillip and Gokhan Tore ensured the Blues picked up the three points they needed to usurp Arsenal from Group C’s summit, and in truth they could have…

Chelsea ended their 2010-11 home academy campaign with their youngest team of the season, and despite a spirited performance went down to an older, stronger and better West Ham team 4-1 at Cobham. Elliott Lee grabbed a hat-trick for the Hammers whilst Robert Hall added a first half penalty. Walter Figueira scored a late consolation for the Blues, who had chances throughout. Dermot Drummy named eight schoolboys in his starting…

A four-goal hammering by Manchester City on Thursday night means Chelsea’s quest for Reserve League glory goes down to the final game of the season. Strikes from John Guidetti, Abdi Ibrahim, Harry Bunn and James Poole ensured a comprehensive win for City on a night where Chelsea were far from their best. Steve Holland was able to keep the majority of his squad together from last week’s victory over Aston…