Youth & Reserves

Chelsea’s Checkatrade Trophy adventure is over for another season after they were defeated 3-1 by Peterborough at Stamford Bridge to leave the competition at the last sixteen stage. Joe Edwards’ team were impressive in a first half in which they deservedly took the lead through Richard Nartey’s first goal of the season, but they were unable to maintain that level of performance throughout, and Posh scored three goals in nine…

Chelsea’s Under-18s got 2019 started in dramatic fashion as they returned home with a 3-2 win at Leicester City that, despite a thoroughly dominant first half, they might not entirely have deserved. Having romped to a 3-0 lead inside the opening fifteen minutes courtesy of a Marcel Lewis brace either side of Jack Wakely’s header, the Blues – under the leadership of Jon Harley in Andy Myers’ absence – should…

It’s been another stunning year for Chelsea’s academy. Unprecedented success on the pitch at youth-age level, an increasing presence in the first-team at Stamford Bridge, and a growing stature in the production of players and staff making an impact elsewhere in world football have made the last twelve months particularly memorable. Here are some of the highlights as we approach 2019. January 2018 was only 28 days old when Callum…

It’s September 2014. A tallish, gangly and occasionally awkward looking boy wearing the number 13 shirt collects possession, fakes inside before shifting back onto his preferred right foot, and scampers off into the space behind the full-back. His cross is headed well wide by a team-mate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLC03jNYWBE The match peters out into a goalless draw, and few of the hardy souls in attendance, let alone the player himself, would likely…

Chelsea’s five-year grip on the FA Youth Cup is over after they lost a barnstorming Third Round tie at Manchester United on Monday night. Facing the sternest early-round test of their credentials at any point during their reign of dominance, they were up against it from the start, handing Mason Greenwood an early goal after goalkeeper Karlo Ziger slipped when receiving a backpass. That sent the tone for an absolute…

It’s not yet Christmas and the stakes are already high. Chelsea have won five FA Youth Cups in a row. They’ve beaten the best the country has to offer without exception, and they have been thoroughly dominant, winning 40 of 44 matches in that run while losing just twice. Each of those defeats came in the first legs of Semi Final ties; they responded by scoring five in both second…