OPPONENT

Mark Robinson’s squad have played three sets of National League opposition already this pre-season, drawing 3-3 at Boreham Wood before losing 5-3 and 3-1 to Barnet and Aldershot Town respectively.

Up front Jimmy-Jay Morgan is a great finisher and has scored goals aplenty for England at U16 and U17 level. He returned to Stamford Bridge for a fee from Southampton in January having previously played for the Blues in a younger age group.

Full-back Ishé Samuels-Smith cost Chelsea in the region of £4m from Everton while others such as Zak Sturge and Leo Castledine are highly rated. Left-back Dylan Williams, meanwhile, has already played six times in the Championship, for Derby County.

Nobody needs reminding that next week marks a return to competitive football at Rochdale – until then, sit back and relax for 90 minutes as it’s the last chance you may get to do so ahead of another Fleet league campaign!

Mark Robinson

A promising youth player for Fulham before injuries cut short his career, the Blues coach spent 17 years at AFC Wimbledon as Academy coach, managing the first-team in 2021/22 where he built the youngest side in the EFL. He took over as Chelsea’s development head coach in May 2022 and last season steered the team from relegation candidates to title contenders in Premier League 2.

First-Team Experience

Head Coach HARVEY VALE

Talented player who can play in a number of midfield positions as well as higher up the pitch or wide in attacking roles. He made five appearances for the Chelsea first-team in cup competitions and played for Hull City on loan. He also captained England U20s at the World Cup this year.

Defender

Josh Acheampong

Age: 17

With experience as a central defender, a full-back and at wing-back, Josh has a fantastic attitude towards developing further and is strong mentally. These qualities have also been identified internationally as he represented England at U16 level.

Defender

Somto Boniface

Age: 17

A versatile player who was signed from the club’s local scouting network as an U9. He can play as a left-back or wing-back and featured regularly for England U16s who were triumphant at the Val de Marne tournament, as well as for the U17s.

Midfielder

Leo Castledine

Defender

Josh Brooking

Age: 20

Strong and aggressive right-back or central defender and an England U16. He moved up to the U18s last season after signing his first pro contract and he played in the Papa John’s Trophy and UEFA Youth League last season, earning a new contract.

Goalkeper

Teddy Curd

Age: 17

Signed at the beginning of his U9 season, Luke is a tall, athletic and agile goalkeeper. He is a massive presence on the pitch and commands his penalty area, as well as being able to play out efficiently from the back when using his feet.

Midfielder

Kiano Dyer

Age: 17

Joined from West Brom at U14 level and became a full-time scholar for this coming season. The England youth international is a bright and intelligent footballer who has versatility across midfield, as well as exceptional technical skills.

Age: 17

One to watch, the attacking midfielder can play box-to-box, is creative and tenacious in the tackle. He has played from U15-U18 level for England and has also captained Chelsea’s U18s.

Midfielder

BEN

Elliott

Age: 20

Played for England U16s while still at U15 level for his club, he has progressed through the youth ranks into the development squad. Although 2021/22 was blighted by injury, he has bounced back strongly.

Age: 17

The 2021/22 season saw Teddy involved in three trophy successes - two for Chelsea and one for the England Under-16 squad that won the Val de Marne trophy last November. The Kingston-born goalkeeper originally signed as an U9.

Midfielder

Billy Gee

Age: 17

A talented and technical player, the central midfielder can also be deployed more defensively. An England youth international, he featured heavily for the U18s last season while being in and around the older development squad.

Midfielder

Tyrique George

Age: 17

A tricky and exciting winger who joined us as an U8 after coming through Chelsea’s development centre programme. He represented England at U16 level frequently in 2021/22 and was part of the Val de Marne winning squad for that age group.

Midfielder

Michael Golding

Age: 17

Central midfielder signed from AFC Wimbledon in his U12 season. He possesses good leadership skills which have also been identified at international level where he has captained the England U16s and won the Val de Marne tournament.

Defender

Brodi Hughes

Age: 18

A major asset for the U18s and dev squad with his versatility across the back line and as a wing-back. He captained the U18s on a few occasions and has proved himself a reliable member of the older development squad too.

Age: 18

Capable of playing in midfield and attack, Matos was an England international at schoolboy level. The newest signing in the squad, he completed a move to Chelsea from Norwich City earlier this month. He was previously with Luton Town.

Goalkeeper

Age: 17

Comfortable playing out from the back and using his feet, the goalkeeper has experienced senior football with a loan move to Fleet’s FA Cup opponents Hanwell Town where he played 10 games. He has been at Chelsea since U13 level.

Age: 17

A very fast, powerful and direct attacking player who was signed as an U12 from grassroots football. Donnell scored and assisted an incredible number of goals in 2021/22 and finished his U16s year as the team’s top goalscorer.

Age: 17

A versatile midfielder who can play in a variety of positions across the pitch. He has excellent technique and an ability to read the game, making him a valuable asset in the middle of the park. He captained the U18 side last season. Formerly with West Ham.

Age: 17

It was a return for a second spell in the Chelsea Academy for Morgan, who played in an earlier age group for the Blues. He returned from Southampton in January to stake a claim in the U18s as well as the development squad.

Age: 16

Joined as an U8, Harrison is a versatile defender who has featured as a centre-back and full-back. He is a confident ball-playing defender who has shown a good work ethic and great leadership qualities.

Midfielder

SAMUEL RAK-SAKYI

Age: 18

Very good technically with great game awareness for his age, the midfielder has been involved with England youth teams. He is comfortable in possession and has developed his range of passing as a key part of the U18 team.

Defender

ZAK STURGE

Age: 19

The England U18 plays as an attackminded left-back and utilises his athleticism and impressive speed. He featured for Brighton in the Premier League 2 before joining Chelsea

Defender

Dylan Williams

Age: 19

The full-back played eight games under Wayne Rooney at Derby County prior to switching to Chelsea. He was previously at Wolves and reached the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup with Chelsea’s U18s before featuring heavily for the development squad.

Midfielder

Reiss Denny

Age: 17

Reiss is a midfielder who joined Chelsea’s Academy as an U8. Born in Reading, he is a deep-lying central midfielder who is skilled in taking quality free-kicks and corners.

Striker

Ronnie Stutter

Age: 18

A constant threat who loves scoring goals, Ronnie is a pacy and direct striker. He captained the U18s towards the back end of last season and also has England recognition having captained the country’s U16s.

Defender

Ishe Samuelssmith

Age: 17

A versatile player who is comfortable at the centre or on the left side of the defence, Samuels-Smith was regarded as one of England’s most promising young talents when he joined the Blues aged 17.

Midfielder

JIMI TAURIAINEN

Age: 19

A left-footed Finnish midfielder who is versatile and skilful, Jimi joined up with the youth team from Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi in summer 2020. His technical ability and impressive dribbling skills make him a reliable player in possession.

Chelsea Development Squad

THEIR STORY OF 2022/23

Position

Points

3rd of 13

43

Top scorer Mason Burstow (10)

Biggest win(s) 3-0 v Blackburn Rovers, Tottenham

Heaviest defeat(s) 1-4 v Brighton, Arsenal

Recent Game Lineup

ALDERSHOT 3-1 CHELSEA

FIRST HALF XI

Teddy Curd

Brodi Hughes

Harrison Murray-Campbell

Zak Sturge

Dylan Williams

Alex Matos

Zain Silcott-Duberry

Kiano Dyer

Jimmy-Jay Morgan

Leo Castledine

Ronnie Stutter

Subs

Max Merrick

Josh Acheampong

Ishe Samuels-Smith

Billy Gee

Samuel Rak-Sakyi

Tyrique George

Donnell McNeilly

Luke Campbell

Home Shirt Away Shirt

ACADEMY HONOURS

Last Five Seasons

U21 Premier League 2 2013/14, 2019/20

Football Combination

11 times, 1949–94

UEFA Youth League 2014/15, 2015/16

FA Youth Cup 9 times, 1960–2018

U18 Premier League

4 times, 2015–18

South East Counties League

11 times, 1953–87

Metropolitan League 3 times