The competition replaces the Under-18 Premier League Cup for this term and will feature seven regionalised groups, each consisting of four teams. Clubs will play each other once, either home or away, totalling three group stage games.

The winner of each group plus the one best runner-up will advance to the knockout stages. There will be quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final, all of which will be one-legged games to decide the champion.

Our group fixtures have been confirmed as follows:

Chelsea vs ReadingTuesday 27 October, kick-off 12 noonHome - Cobham Training Ground

Southampton vs ChelseaTuesday 24 November, kick-off 11amAway - Staplewood Training Ground

Chelsea vs FulhamWednesday 20 January, kick-off 6pmHome - Cobham Training Ground

Our youngsters were previously winners of the Under-18 Premier League Cup in 2017/18 when a team featuring Conor Gallagher and Billy Gilmour beat Tottenham in the final.

In other Academy news, our Under-18 Premier League clash against Norwich City, originally scheduled for this Saturday afternoon, has been brought forward by a day and will now take place at Cobham on Friday afternoon, kick-off at 12.15pm.