In the first of this three part season preview for the Chelsea Youth and Reserves I will be focusing at the bottom, the Youth team. Over the course of these previews I will cover all the way up to players breaking into the first team and those moving on or going out on loan. Following a very exciting season at the academy level of Chelsea hopefully we can see that carry on into the new season and see more exciting things from a lot of exciting players.

As I have already said, in this review I will be starting at the U18’s level. Last season was a major success for Chelsea at Youth level, finished extremely well in the league, but most importantly, as I am sure you are well aware, they managed to win the FA Youth Cup, the pinnacle of Youth Football in this country. So there is a lot to live up to for the young lads making their way into the Youth team this season.

As with last season there is a big difference between the players that play week in week out in the league and those who play in the FA Youth cup. Most of the Youth Cup team will be playing more reserve football than Youth football. As has already been reported there is a new intake of players for the Youth Academy so I will start by covering those players who have signed on as first year scholars, some you have seen and heard of before and some you will not have heard of.

Let’s start with the only “import” of the season so far, Amin Affane. Affane is an attacking midfielder from Sweden described as a skilful playmaker, hopefully we will see him pulling some strings in the attacking third and living up to the billing given by signing for Chelsea. Next up is Todd Kane, Kane is a right back and featured at times last season for the U18’s so will be expected to be a regular feature this season, his attacking instincts will liken him to Ashley Cole and we can only hope that he can live up to a similar level. Reece Loudon is next up, Loudon has already made a reserve appearance when options were very slim. He is a left midfielder who has played at left back, again has lots of ability, we will have to see how he is used in the coming season.

The next of the group is a familiar name at both Reserve and Youth level. Danny Mills Pappoe has unbelievably only now turned a first year scholar which shows how well he has done up until now to have played so many games at Youth and Reserve level. Next season he needs to build on his success, really dominate his position and show that he can continue to be such a powerhouse at centre back. Archange Nkumu is a name you may not be familiar with, Nkumu is a defender/midfielder who is very composed on the ball and gets about the pitch well, like all the players at the Chelsea Academy he is well thought of. Jamal Blackman is the goalkeeper stepping up this season, yet to play for the Youth team but having represented England at various levels Jamal has a lot of potential, but also a lot to live up to as Sam Walker had a very good season last year, hopefully he will show the same potential. Danny Stenning is the last of the new scholars. Stenning is a midfielder with excellent technical ability and has an eye for a set piece, a player who could be very interesting to watch this season.

On top of these scholars I think we can expect to see some schoolboys playing at times and especially near the end of the season. Names to look out for are Nathaniel Chalobah, a name I am sure most are aware of, I think Chalobah will be a pretty regular feature in the Youth team even though he is still only 15. Other players who could make appearances are talented French forward Yann Gueho and midfidler John Swift who have already made some appearances for the Youth team.

As well as the new players we will have the second years who will look to really establish themselves this season and start to make a name for themselves like previous players have. In that bracket are players like Anton Rodgers, James Ashton, George Saville, Bobby Devyne and Phillip Prosenik just to name a few. Again there are a lot of very talented players in this group and like previous players to make a name for themselves I am sure at the end of this season there will be a number of these players on the lips of Chelsea fans as future first team players.

Can this season be as good as the last or better? To be better they will have to retain the cup and win the league, it is a very big ask. But one thing is for sure and can be guaranteed, as always with the Chelsea Youth Team it will be extremely exciting. And as always you can see all of the highlights here on Talkchelsea and on my Youtube page.