Chelsea Academy 2025–26 season showcasing progress along the EPPP development pathway for youth players.
Based in Surrey, Chelsea FC runs a category 1 academy
- 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
- U18 Lead Coach: Hassan Sulaiman
Chelsea Retained List 2025
View the complete list of Chelsea players who have been retained, released, or have returned to their parent clubs following loan spells.
The Blues have made a contract offer to Under-21s forward Donnell McNeilly
Chelsea 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)
- Jashayde Greenwood (Forward)
Chelsea Academy Players On Loan 2025/26
Young players on loan.
- 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
Chelsea Academy 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
Chelsea Academy Competitions
U18 Premier League
The league divides teams into North and South groups for the U18s, calling it the U18 Premier League.
Chelsea Under-18 play in the South League
Below are the team standings at the winter break, marking roughly the halfway point of the season.
U17 and U18 Premier League Cup
In 2017, the Premier League introduced the U18 Premier League Cup and the U16 Premier League Cup, renaming the latter to the U17 Premier League Cup in 2020 for their respective age groups.
The seven group winners, along with the best runner-up determined by total points, goal difference, and then head-to-head record, will progress to the quarterfinals.
U17 Premier League Cup Group Stage
Chelsea U17 are drawn in Group D against under 17 teams from Brighton, Charlton Athletic and Southampton.
- Chelsea U17 drew at home against Charlton Athletic U17 (2 – 2)
- Chris Atherton
- Jayden Malundama
- Chelsea U17 won away against Southampton U17 (1 – 3)
- Chelsea U17 lost at home against Brighton U17 (1 – 3)
U18 Premier League Cup Group Stage
Chelsea U18 are drawn in Group D against under 18 teams from Crystal Palace, Manchester City and Sheffield United.
- Chelsea U18 drew at home against Sheffield United U18 (3 – 3)
- Sol Gordon (3)
- Chelsea U18 lost away against Manchester City U18 (3 – 2)
- Chizaram Ezenwata (2)
- Chelsea U18 lost away against Crystal Palace U18 (4 – 0)
FA Youth Cup
Third Round Proper
Chelsea U18 have been drawn away against Brentford U18
- Chelsea U18 won away against Brentford U18 (1 – 2)
- Kobe Barbour
- Chizaram Ezenwata
Fourth Round Proper
Chelsea U18 have been drawn away against Reading U18
- Chelsea U18 won away against Reading U18 (2 – 3)
- Ryan Kavuma-McQueen (2)
- Reggie Watson
Fifth Round Proper
Chelsea U18 have been drawn at home against Manchester City U18
U19 UEFA Youth League
As the leading club competition for academy-age footballers worldwide, it serves as a prestigious and vital platform where players can build their reputations and rise to prominence.
When eligible, the Under-19s compete in the UEFA Youth League, which mirrors the UEFA Champions’ League group stage.
UEFA will be introducing a new format from the 2024-25 season.
U19 UEFA Youth League Group Stage
Chelsea U19 are drawn against under 19 teams from Bayern Munich, Benfica, Ajax, Qarabağ, Barcelona and Atalanta.
- Chelsea U19 won away against Bayern Munich U19 (2 – 3)
- Genesis Antwi
- Shumaira Mheuka
- Harrison Murray-Campbell
- Chelsea U19 won at home against Benfica U19 (5 – 2)
- Shumaira Mheuka (3)
- Ryan Kavuma-McQueen
- Kobe Barbour
- Chelsea U19 won at home against Ajax U19 (6 – 3)
- Jesse Derry
- Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli
- Atoh Ampah (2)
- Genesis Antwi
- Charlie Holland
- Chelsea U19 won away against Qarabağ U19 (0 – 5)
- Sol Gordon
- Jesse Derry (2)
- Shumaira Mheuka
- Frankie Runham
- Chelsea U19 drew at home against Barcelona U19 (1 – 1)
- Ibrahim Rabbaj
- Chelsea U19 won away against Atalanta U19 (1 – 3)
- Jesse Derry (2)
- Reggie Walsh
Round of 32
Chelsea U19 will host PSV
- Chelsea U19 won at home against PSV Eindhoven U19 (1 – 1) (7 – 6 after pens)
- Ryan Kavuma-McQueen
U21 Premier League Cup
The Premier League Cup was introduced in the 2013/14 season to enhance competition during the Professional Development Phase.
It added a knockout tournament alongside the regular league schedule. For the 2025/26 season, the format features nine groups.
The top team from each group automatically qualifies for the knockout stage, along with the seven best second-placed teams.
Chelsea U21 Premier League Cup Group Stage
Premier League 2
Starting from the 2023 season, all 26 Category 1 teams compete in a single league using the Swiss-style format.
Entry into or removal from this league depends on meeting the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) accreditation criteria.
Below are the team standings at the winter break, marking roughly the halfway point of the season.
Premier League 2 PlayOff
Round of 16
Chelsea U21 have been drawn at home against Middlesbrough U21
- Chelsea U21 won at home against Middlesbrough U21 (1 – 0)
- Mathis Eboue
Quarter Final
Chelsea U21 have been drawn at home against Tottenham Hotspur U21
Premier League 2 Player of the Month
August 2025
- Shumaira Mheuka (Winner)
March 2026
- Jesse Derry (Nominee)
- Josh Acheampong (Nominee)
- Ryan Kavuma-McQueen (Winner)
The Premier League International Cup
The participating teams are split into four groups of eight, each comprising four UK-based Under-21 teams and four invited overseas clubs represented by their development squads.
Each UK team will host all four overseas clubs in their group. The results will determine the standings in each group, with the top two teams advancing to the knockout stages.
Chelsea U21 Premier League International Cup Group Stage
Chelsea will face PSG, Dinamo Zagreb, Benfica and Real Sociedad in Group C of the initial phase of the tournament.
Brighton, Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest are the other UK-based teams in their group.
- Chelsea U21 lost at home against Dinamo Zagreb II (1 – 2)
- Ato Ampah
- Chelsea U21 lost at home against PSG U21 (1 – 3)
- Shumaira Mheuka
Vertu Trophy (EFL Trophy)
The Vertu Trophy is a midweek knockout competition that includes clubs from EFL League One and League Two, along with 16 invited teams from Premier League and EFL Championship clubs that have Category One Academies.
The competition is regionalised from the opening stage through to the quarter-finals, featuring eight groups in the northern section and eight in the southern section.
Each group features one Under-21 Premier League side
Vertu Trophy Group Stage
Chelsea Under-21s have been drawn into Southern Group C, where they will face Northampton Town, Shrewsbury Town and Walsall.
- Chelsea U21 lost away against Shrewsbury Town (3 – 1)
- Shumaira Mhueka
- Chelsea U21 lost away against Northampton Town (3 – 0)
- Chelsea U21 lost away against Walsall (0 – 0) (4 – 2 after Pens)
Chelsea Academy News
23rd May 2025
Midfielder Jimi Tauriainen has signed a new contract until June 2027. He joined the club in 2020 from Finnish side Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi.
4th July 2025
Chelsea is delighted to confirm the signing of Kian Best from Preston North End, with the defender penning a contract until 2027.
14th July 2025
Millwall have 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 last season.
18th July 2025
Chelsea is delighted to confirm that Ato Ampah has signed a new contract, extending his stay at the club until 2028.
15th August 2025
16-year-old midfielder Walter Nutter has joined Southampton Academy after leaving Chelsea on a free transfer.
1st September 2025
Alex Matos has sealed a move to Bramall Lane, signing a three-year contract with Sheffield United. The Blades have paid Chelsea an undisclosed fee for the versatile youngster, who is capable of playing across multiple positions.
Donnell McNeilly, who departed Chelsea to join Nottingham Forest following the expiry of his contract, has now been sent out on loan to Wycombe Wanderers by his new club.
9th September 2025
Justin Osagie, a versatile central defender, joined Chelsea’s Under-21s from Wolves early in the 2025/26 season.
11th September 2025
Geovany Quenda has been named Portugal’s Best Young Player for the 2024/25 season.
12th September 2025
Chelsea’s 17-year-old striker Shumaira Mheuka has been named Premier League 2 Player of the Month for August, after scoring four goals in three matches to help his side move top of the table.
18th September 2025
Genesis Antwi has 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.
13th October 2025
Chelsea have strengthened their Under-18s with defender Riley Ebho from West Ham and forward Jashayde Greenwood from Wolves, both signing scholarship deals with the Blues.
14th October 2025
Kobe Barbour has 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.
21st October 2025
Defender Landon Emanalo has been named in the England U17 squad for the 2025 World Cup in Qatar.
He is joined by midfielder Reggie Walsh along with forward Chizzy Ezenwata.
24th October 2025
Chelsea Academy defenders Josh Henry and George Jobling, along with midfielders Hezekiah Grimwade and Reggie Watson, have received a call-up to the England Under-16 squad.
They will represent the team in the upcoming Football Federations Cup in Antalya, Türkiye.
Academy midfielder Reggie Walsh has 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.
27th October 2025
England U18 goalkeeper Freddy Bernal has signed his first professional contract with Chelsea.
Isaac Collinson, Calvi Diakite, Charlie Holland, Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli, Mathis Eboue, and Ryan Kavuma-McQueen have all received call-ups to the England U17 squad.
They will represent their country in the upcoming UEFA Euro Under-17 qualifiers in Scotland.
29th October 2025
Landon Emenalo has been 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.
30th October 2025
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.
7th November 2025
Chelsea academy players Ted Curd, Harrison Murray-Campbell and Ato Ampah have received a call-up to the England U20 squad ahead of their upcoming match against Japan at Doncaster Rovers next Friday.
12th November 2025
Harrison McMahon has been added as a late call-up to the England Under-20 squad for their match against Japan.
14th November 2025
Chelsea have agreed in principle to sign 16-year-old defender Deinner Ordonez.
The Ecuadorian is set to join in January 2028 on a long-term deal from Independiente del Valle.
24th November 2025
Chelsea U18s will travel to face Brentford U18 in the FA Youth Cup third round on Tuesday, December 16th, with kick-off scheduled for 7:00 pm.
9th December 2025
Chelsea Under-19s have completed the UEFA Youth League group stage with a top-six finish, securing a place in the last 32 where they will face one of the lowest-ranked qualifiers.
Here is the draw procedure for the group of 32.
12th December 2025
Chelsea Under-19 have been drawn to face PSV Eindhoven at home in the Round of 32, with the tie provisionally scheduled for 3–4 February 2026.
16th December 2025
Chelsea U18s booked their place in the Fourth Round of the FA Youth Cup with a 2-1 win over Brentford U18. They will face Reading in the next round.
2nd February 2026
Ato Ampah has completed a permanent move to Championship side Stoke City.
Ampah 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 has joined the Tottenham Hotspur Academy.
The 17-year-old winger spent three years with the Blues from under-15 level and made his Under-18 Premier League debut last season while still a schoolboy.
4th February 2026
Chelsea Football Club has announced that Academy forward Mathis Eboue has signed his first professional contract with the club after his 17th birthday
11th February 2026
Chelsea academy defender Riley Ebho has signed his first professional contract with the Blues.
18th February 2026
Chelsea academy player George Jobling has joined Spurs following his release from the club’s Cobham academy.
The 16-year-old represented Chelsea at U16 and U17 level this season, having spent four years with the club.
21st March 2026
Chelsea U16 lost against Tottenham in the Premier League Cup