Chelsea Academy

Chelsea FC runs a category 1 academy based in Surrey. They have an elite youth development program that nurtures young talent.

All the Chelsea Academy age groups play their games at the Cobham Training Ground.

The Academy’s official X (formerly Twitter) account is @chelseayouth.

There has been a growing collaboration between the Academy and the men’s squad.

This was particularly evident during the 2024/25 UEFA Conference League campaign, where eight youth players were given the opportunity to make their senior debuts and showcase their talent on the European stage.

Academy Competitions

Each season, the Academy competes across the standard slate of competitions for Category One clubs:

• U18 Premier League – split into North and South divisions; Chelsea’s Under-18s play in the South League.
• U17 & U18 Premier League Cup – introduced by the Premier League in 2017 (originally as the U16 Premier League Cup, renamed the U17 Premier League Cup in 2020); seven group winners plus the best runner-up (by points, goal difference, then head-to-head) progress to the quarter-finals.
• FA Youth Cup – the traditional nationwide knockout competition open to academy sides across English football.
• UEFA Youth League – the leading academy-age club competition in Europe, mirroring the format of the UEFA Champions League group stage; Chelsea’s Under-19s compete when eligible.
• U21 Premier League Cup – introduced in the 2013/14 season to add a knockout tournament alongside the regular Professional Development Phase league schedule, featuring nine groups with the top team in each group plus the seven best runners-up advancing to the knockout stage.
• Premier League 2 – since 2023, all Category One academies play in a single Swiss-style league, with entry and removal governed by Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) accreditation criteria; the top teams progress to a knockout play-off series to determine final placings.
• Premier League International Cup – four groups of eight, each combining four UK-based Under-21 sides with four invited overseas development squads; the top two in each group advance to the knockout stage.
• Vertu Trophy (EFL Trophy) – a midweek knockout competition featuring clubs from EFL League One and League Two alongside 16 invited Category One academies, regionalised into northern and southern sections through to the quarter-finals.

2025/26 Season

The Academy enters the 2025/26 season under Academy Manager Ben Knight, Football Operations Director Jack Francis, Academy Director Glenn van der Kraan, Head of Academy Recruitment Delroy Ebanks, Co-Director of Recruitment and Talent Joe Shields, and U18 Lead Coach Hassan Sulaiman.

Full details of players retained, released, or returned from loan following the 2024/25 season can be found on the club’s official retained list.

Scholars 2025/26

Freddy Bernal (Goalkeeper), Toby Bell (Goalkeeper), Calvin Diakite (Defender), Jacob Hall (Defender), Isago Silva (Defender), Lewi Richards (Defender), Dante Waite (Defender)

Charlie Holland (Midfielder), Ibrahim Rabbaj (Midfielder), Reggie Walsh (Midfielder), Ryan Kavuma-McQueen (Forward), Chris Atherton (Forward), Jeremiah Berkeley-Agyepong (Forward)

Mathis Eboue (Forward), Chizaram Ezenwata (Forward), Joel Philbert (Forward), Riley Ebho (Defender) and Jashayde Greenwood (Forward).

Academy Players on Loan 2025/26

• Caleb Wiley (Defender) – Watford
• Teddy Sharman-Lowe (Goalkeeper) – Bolton Wanderers
• Kendry Paez (Midfielder) – RC Strasbourg
• Leo Castledine (Midfielder) – Huddersfield Town
• Brodi Hughes (Defender) – AFC Wimbledon
• Jimmy-Jay Morgan (Forward) – Peterborough United
• Omari Kellyman (Midfielder) – Cardiff City
• Ronnie Stutter (Forward) – Barnet
• Kiano Dyer (Midfielder) – Volendam
• Ishé Samuels-Smith (Defender) – Swansea City
• Ted Curd (Goalkeeper) – Boreham Wood
• Joseph Wheeler-Henry (Defender) – Brentford B
• Benjamin Arthur (Defender) – Celtic
• Dujuan Richards (Forward) – Leicester City

International Players 2025/26

• Oliver Croft (Defender) – England U15
• Eden Mahoney-Smith (Midfielder) – England U15
• Eliah Semakula (Forward) – England U15
• Rico Sealey (Midfielder) – England U15
• Josh Henry (Defender) – England U16
• George Jobling (Defender) – England U16
• Thomas McDermott (Defender) – England U16
• Hezekiah-Daniel Grimwade (Midfielder) – England U16
• Reggie Watson (Midfielder) – England U16
• Erinyayo Faromo-Adebayo (Forward) – England U16
• Jake Murray (Goalkeeper) – England U16
• Trey Faromo-Adebayo (Forward) – England U16
• Calvin Diakite (Defender) – England U17
• Isaac Collinson (Goalkeeper) – England U17
• Mathis Eboue (Midfielder) – England U17
• Charlie Holland (Midfielder) – England U17
• Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli (Midfielder) – England U17
• Ryan Kavuma-McQueen (Forward) – England U17
• Freddy Bernal (Goalkeeper) – England U18
• Reggie Walsh (Midfielder) – England U17; U18
• Chizaram Ezenwata (Forward) – England U17; U18
• Landon Emenalo (Midfielder) – England U17; U18
• Ibrahim Rabbaj (Midfielder) – Morocco U18
• Jesse Derry (Forward) – England U19
• Shumaira Mheuka (Forward) – England U19
• Harry McGlinchey (Defender) – Ireland U19
• Leo Cardoso (Midfielder) – Portugal U20
• Harrison Murray-Campbell (Defender) – England U20
• Harrison McMahon (Midfielder) – England U20
• Ato Ampah (Forward) – England U20
• Somto Boniface (Defender) – England U20
• Ted Curd (Goalkeeper) – England U20
• Josh Acheampong (Defender) – England U21
• Tyrique George (Forward) – England U21
• Genesis Antwi (Defender) – Sweden U21

2025/26 Tournament Groupings

In the U17 Premier League Cup, Chelsea’s Under-17s were drawn in Group D against Under-17 sides from Brighton, Charlton Athletic and Southampton.

In the U18 Premier League Cup, the Under-18s were drawn in Group D against Crystal Palace, Manchester City and Sheffield United.

For the FA Youth Cup, the Under-18s were drawn away against Brentford in the third round proper, away against Reading in the fourth round proper, and at home against Manchester City in the fifth round proper.

In the UEFA Youth League group stage, the Under-19s were drawn against Bayern Munich, Benfica, Ajax, Qarabağ, Barcelona and Atalanta, before being drawn at home against PSV Eindhoven in the round of 32.

In Premier League 2, the play-offs saw the Under-21s drawn at home against Middlesbrough in the round of 16 and at home against Tottenham Hotspur in the quarter-final.

Also in the Premier League International Cup, Chelsea were drawn in Group C against PSG, Dinamo Zagreb, Benfica and Real Sociedad, alongside fellow UK sides Brighton, Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest.

In the Vertu Trophy, the Under-21s were drawn into Southern Group C alongside Northampton Town, Shrewsbury Town and Walsall.

Shumaira Mheuka was named Premier League 2 Player of the Month for August 2025, while Jesse Derry and Josh Acheampong were nominated for March 2026, with Ryan Kavuma-McQueen taking the award.

Season Timeline

May 2025

• Midfielder Jimi Tauriainen signed a new contract until June 2027; he had joined the club in 2020 from Finnish side Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi.

July 2025

• Chelsea confirmed the signing of Kian Best from Preston North End, with the defender signing a contract until 2027.
• Millwall completed the signing of 21-year-old defender Zak Sturge from Chelsea for an undisclosed fee, following his loan spell at The Den during the second half of the previous season.
• Chelsea confirmed that Ato Ampah had signed a new contract, extending his stay at the club until 2028.

August 2025

• 16-year-old midfielder Walter Nutter joined Southampton’s Academy after leaving Chelsea on a free transfer.

September 2025

• Alex Matos sealed a move to Bramall Lane, signing a three-year contract with Sheffield United, who paid Chelsea an undisclosed fee for the versatile youngster. Donnell McNeilly, who had departed Chelsea to join Nottingham Forest following the expiry of his contract, was sent out on loan to Wycombe Wanderers by his new club.
• Justin Osagie, a versatile central defender, joined Chelsea’s Under-21s from Wolves early in the 2025/26 season.
• Geovany Quenda was named Portugal’s Best Young Player for the 2024/25 season.
• Chelsea’s 17-year-old striker Shumaira Mheuka was named Premier League 2 Player of the Month for August, following a strong run of form to help his side move top of the table.
• Genesis Antwi committed to a new three-year deal with the Blues, with the option of an additional two years; the defender first joined the Academy at Under-12 level.

October 2025

• Chelsea strengthened their Under-18s with defender Riley Ebho from West Ham and forward Jashayde Greenwood from Wolves, both signing scholarship deals with the Blues.
• Kobe Barbour signed a new deal with Chelsea, extending his stay until the end of the 2027/28 season; the versatile attacking midfielder has featured in both central and wide roles for the Blues.
• Defender Landon Emanalo was named in the England U17 squad for the 2025 World Cup in Qatar, joined by midfielder Reggie Walsh and forward Chizzy Ezenwata.
• Chelsea Academy defenders Josh Henry and George Jobling, along with midfielders Hezekiah Grimwade and Reggie Watson, received a call-up to the England Under-16 squad, representing the team in the upcoming Football Federations Cup in Antalya, Türkiye.
• Academy midfielder Reggie Walsh signed his first professional contract with Chelsea, having become the club’s third-youngest senior player after featuring against Djurgarden in the UEFA Conference League.
• England U18 goalkeeper Freddy Bernal signed his first professional contract with Chelsea. Isaac Collinson, Calvi Diakite, Charlie Holland, Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli, Mathis Eboue, and Ryan Kavuma-McQueen all received call-ups to the England U17 squad, representing their country in the upcoming UEFA Euro Under-17 qualifiers in Scotland.
• Landon Emenalo was withdrawn from the England U17 squad after sustaining a foot injury in the UEFA Youth League match against Ajax.
• Calum McFarlane fielded four 15-year-old players in the EFL Trophy, making the quartet the youngest ever to represent Chelsea in the competition’s history.
• The following Chelsea academy players attended an England U15 camp in the autumn: Oliver Crofts, Sebastian Harris, Aaron Lewis, Eden-Mahoney-Smith, Ezriah Morrison, Malachi Patterson, Rico Sealey, Eliah Semakula, Iago Silva, and Aaron Woolford.

November 2025

• Chelsea academy players Ted Curd, Harrison Murray-Campbell and Ato Ampah received a call-up to the England U20 squad ahead of their upcoming match against Japan at Doncaster Rovers.
• Harrison McMahon was added as a late call-up to the England Under-20 squad for their match against Japan.
• Chelsea agreed in principle to sign 16-year-old defender Deinner Ordonez, an Ecuadorian set to join in January 2028 on a long-term deal from Independiente del Valle.
• Chelsea’s Under-18s were set to travel to face Brentford’s Under-18s in the FA Youth Cup third round on Tuesday 16 December, with kick-off scheduled for 7:00pm.

December 2025

• Chelsea’s Under-19s completed the UEFA Youth League group stage with a top-six finish, securing a place in the last 32 where they would face one of the lowest-ranked qualifiers.
• Chelsea’s Under-19s were drawn to face PSV Eindhoven at home in the round of 32, with the tie provisionally scheduled for 3–4 February 2026.
• Chelsea’s Under-18s booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup, following their tie against Brentford’s Under-18s, setting up a tie against Reading.

February 2026

• Ato Ampah completed a permanent move to Championship side Stoke City; Ampah had joined Chelsea at the age of 10 and progressed through the Academy at Cobham, going on to make his Under-18s debut during the 2021/22 season. Joel Vidal-Philbert joined the Tottenham Hotspur Academy; the 17-year-old winger had spent three years with the Blues from Under-15 level and made his Under-18 Premier League debut the previous season while still a schoolboy.
• Chelsea announced that Academy forward Mathis Eboue had signed his first professional contract with the club after his 17th birthday.
• Chelsea academy defender Riley Ebho signed his first professional contract with the Blues.
• Chelsea academy player George Jobling joined Spurs following his release from the club’s Cobham academy; the 16-year-old had represented Chelsea at U16 and U17 level that season, having spent four years with the club.

March 2026

• Chelsea’s Under-16s’ Premier League Cup journey ended, following their tie against Tottenham.

2024/25 Season

The Academy continued to make strong progress, reaching the quarter-finals of the U17 and U18 Premier League Cups and the U21 Premier League Cup.

The Under-18s finished fourth in the Premier League and reached the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup. Meanwhile, the Under-21s finished third in the Premier League 2 regular season and reached the quarter-finals.

Scholars 2024/25

Harry McGlinchey (Defender), Harry Rhoda (Defender), Hudson Sands (Goalkeeper), Jack Austin (Goalkeeper), Joseph Wheeler-Henry (Defender), Kobe Barbour (Forward)

Lando Emenalo (Midfielder), Olutayo Subuloye (Defender), Shumaira Mheuka (Forward), Sol Gordon (Midfielder), Yahya Idrissi (Midfielder) and Bashir Humphreys (Defender).

Academy Players on Loan 2024/25

• Eddie Beech (Goalkeeper) – Crawley Town
• Alfie Gilchrist (Defender) – Sheffield United
• Andrey Santos (Midfielder) – RC Strasbourg
• Aaron Anselmino (Defender) – Boca Juniors
• Dylan Williams (Defender) – Burton Albion
• Gabriel Slonina (Goalkeeper) – Barnsley
• Ted Curd (Goalkeeper) – Hampton and Richmond Borough
• Luke Campbell (Goalkeeper) – Hendon FC
• Teddy Sharman-Lowe (Goalkeeper) – Doncaster
• Charlie Webster (Midfielder) – Burton Albion
• Leo Castledine (Midfielder) – Shrewsbury Town
• Mike Penders (Goalkeeper) – Genk
• Kai Crampton (Goalkeeper) – Hampton & Richmond
• Ronnie Stutter (Forward) – Burton Albion
• Alex Matos (Midfielder) – Oxford United
• Jimmy Jay Morgan (Forward) – Gillingham
• Zak Sturge (Defender) – Millwall
• Max Merrick (Goalkeeper) – Hampton & Richmond

Academy Graduates in the First Team 2024/25

Tyrique George (Forward, #32), Lucas Bergström (Goalkeeper, #47), Samuel Rak-Sakyi (Midfielder, #51), Max Merrick (Goalkeeper, #50), Shim Mheuka (Forward, #76)

Josh Acheampong (Defender, #34), Kiano Dyer (Midfielder, #33), Reggie Walsh (Midfielder, #81).

International Players 2024/25

• Jake Murray (Goalkeeper) – England U15
• Hezekiah-Daniel Grimwade (Defender) – England U15
• Reggie Watson (Midfielder) – England U15
• Trey Faromo-Adebayo (Midfielder) – England U15
• Josh Henry – England U15
• George Jobling – England U15
• Jacob Dako (Midfielder) – England U15
• Isaac Collinson (Goalkeeper) – England U16
• Toby Bell (Goalkeeper) – England U16
• Calvin Diakite (Defender) – England U16
• Gabriel Sambou (Defender) – England U16
• Charlie Holland (Midfielder) – England U16
• Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli (Midfielder) – England U16
• Ryan Kavuma-McQueen (Midfielder) – England U16
• Joel Vidal-Philbert (Midfielder) – England U16
• Ibrahim Rabbaj (Forward) – England U16; Morocco U17
• Freddie Bernal (Goalkeeper) – England U17
• Landon Emanelo (Midfielder) – England U17
• Chizzy Ezenwata (Forward) – England U17
• Ryan Mcaidoo (Forward) – England U17
• Olutayo Subuloye (Defender) – England U18
• Ollie Harrison (Midfielder) – England U18
• Frankie Runham (Forward) – England U18
• Jack Austin (Goalkeeper) – England U18
• Shumaira Mhueka (Forward) – England U18, U19
• Ted Curd (Goalkeeper) – England U19
• Josh Acheampong (Defender) – England U19
• Harrison Murray-Campbell (Defender) – England U19
• Ishe Samuels-Smith (Defender) – England U19
• Reiss-Alexander Russell-Denny (Midfielder) – England U19
• Kiano Dyer (Midfielder) – England U19
• Tyrique George (Forward) – England U19
• Harry McGlinchey (Defender) – Ireland U19
• Harrison McMahon (Midfielder) – Scotland U19
• Max Merrick (Goalkeeper) – England U20
• Eddie Beach (Goalkeeper) – Wales U21

2024/25 Tournament Groupings

In the U17 Premier League Cup, Chelsea’s Under-17s were drawn against Arsenal, Charlton and Fulham in the group stage, before progressing to the quarter-finals against Tottenham Hotspur.

In the U18 Premier League Cup, the Under-18s were drawn in Group F against Newcastle, Millwall and Stoke City, before progressing to the quarter-finals against Liverpool.

For the U21 Premier League Cup, Chelsea were drawn in Group I against Brentford, Derby County and AFC Bournemouth, before progressing through the round of 16 against Ipswich Town to the quarter-final against Burnley.

In the Premier League 2 play-offs, the Under-21s were drawn at home against Wolves in the round of 16 and away against Crystal Palace in the quarter-final.

Also in the Premier League International Cup, the Under-21s were drawn against RB Leipzig, Anderlecht, Real Sociedad and Sporting CP, alongside fellow UK sides Brighton, Crystal Palace and Southampton.

Kiano Dyer was named Premier League 2 Player of the Month for October.

Season Timeline

November 2024

• Kiano Dyer was nominated for the PL2 Player of the Month award for October 2024.
• From the Premier League Cup tie against Real Sociedad onwards, Under-21 match tickets were discounted, with free entry for season ticket holders and members.
• In the third round of the FA Youth Cup, Chelsea were drawn away to Leicester City.
• Chelsea progressed to the quarter-finals of the U18 Premier League Cup.

December 2024

• Chelsea advanced to the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup, following their tie against Leicester City, setting up a tie against either Merstham or Burgess Hill.
• Chelsea secured the long-term commitment of 2007-born centre-back Olutayo Subuloye, who signed his first professional contract with the club.

January 2025

• Aaron Anselmino, Ronnie Stutter, and Gabriel Slonina were all recalled from their loan spells: Anselmino was set to either provide depth for the squad or be sent out on another loan, Stutter returned after not featuring at Burton Albion, and Slonina was brought back due to injury. Seventeen-year-old academy goalkeeper Kai Crampton was set to leave the club to join Bournemouth.
• The Blues exited the Premier League International Cup at the conclusion of the group stage, following their tie against Sporting CP B.
• The FA Youth Cup fifth round draw took place.
• Eddie Beach was recalled from his loan at Crawley Town, where he had made two appearances. Chelsea advanced to the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup, where they would face either Manchester United or Preston North End, following a dominant victory over Merstham’s Under-18s.
• Reggie Watson made history as the first 14-year-old to play for the Under-18s since Marc Guéhi; he celebrated his 15th birthday the following day.
• Reigning champions Chelsea did not retain their U17 Premier League Cup title that season, following their tie against Tottenham in the quarter-finals.
• Harvey Vale departed Chelsea to sign with QPR on a contract running until June 2028.

February 2025

• Jimmy-Jay Morgan and Dennell McNeilly were both shortlisted for the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award for January 2025.
• Chelsea’s Under-18s were knocked out of the FA Youth Cup, following their tie away to Manchester United’s Under-18s.

March 2025

• At just 17 years, 4 months, and 14 days old, Shim Mheuka became Chelsea’s youngest-ever starter in a UEFA competition, surpassing the previous record held by Callum Hudson-Odoi, who had made his first start at 18 years and 22 days old.
• Chelsea’s Under-14s were crowned Albert Phelan Cup South champions following a dramatic late comeback against Millwall away from home, setting up a tie against Aston Villa later in the season to compete for the national title.

April 2025

• Chelsea’s Under-21s were eliminated from the Premier League Cup, following their tie away to Burnley in the quarter-finals.
• In the Premier League 2 round of 16, Chelsea’s Under-21s were set to take on Wolves’ Under-21s, with the match scheduled for 26 April. Academy forward Yahya Idrissi signed his first professional contract with Chelsea.
• Chelsea’s Under-21s advanced to the quarter-finals of the Premier League 2 knockout stage, following their tie against Wolves’ Under-21s.
• Chelsea’s Under-21s were set to play away against Crystal Palace’s Under-21s in the Premier League 2 knockout stage quarter-finals on Saturday 3 May.

May 2025

• Reggie Walsh made his debut for Chelsea in the Europa Conference League semi-final first leg against Djurgarden; still of schoolboy age, he could not sign a professional contract until his 17th birthday in October.
• Walsh became Chelsea’s third-youngest ever player, behind Ian Hamilton and Kingsley Whiffen, having featured at the 3Arena just six months and 11 days after turning 16.
• Chelsea’s Under-16s’ Premier League Cup final ended in defeat against Arsenal; Jeremiah Berkeley-Agyepong scored the Blues’ goal in the match. Chelsea’s Under-21s were knocked out of the Premier League 2 Playoffs in the quarter-finals, following their tie away to Crystal Palace’s Under-21s.
• Dylan Williams completed a permanent move to Burton Albion after initially joining the club on loan, signing a three-year deal at the Pirelli Stadium, with the option for an additional 12 months.
• Reggie Walsh featured in the second leg of the Europa Conference League semi-final against Djurgårdens IF Fotboll, becoming the youngest player to start a European match for Chelsea.
• Chelsea’s Donnell McNeilly was nominated for the Premier League 2 Player of the Season award.
• Shumaira Mheuka was named Chelsea’s Academy Scholar of the Year for the 2024/25 season, joining a distinguished list of past recipients, including Ollie Harrison, Somoto Boniface, Ronnie Stutter, Alfie Gilchrist, Lewis Bates, Henry Lawrence, Billy Gilmour, and Connor Gallagher.

Released Academy Players (end of 2024/25)

Dylan Williams (joined Burton Albion), Eddie Beach (joined Kilmarnock FC), Luke Campbell (joined Nottingham Forest U21), Marcell Washington (joined Arsenal U21).