To mark World Book Day, which took place earlier this week, Chelsea Academy youngster Tudor Mendel-Idowu shared some insight into his experiences of being an up-and-coming footballer as well as a King's Scholar at Eton College.
Mendel-Idowu has been a big part of the Under-18 Premier League team this season, his first in full-time football, as well as the FA Youth Cup, in which he scored the memorable winner in the comeback against Liverpool earlier in the year.
Speaking to FIFA.com, the teenager also revealed how he juggles sporting aspirations with his academic studies, which include being one of a select group at England's most prestigious school, but started by explaining the role of a King's Scholar at Eton.
'King’s Scholars are the top 14 brightest students in the UK, if not the world, admitted once per year at the age of 13,' he revealed. 'It's decided after a rigorous examination process over two weeks, covering papers in a variety of subjects: Maths, Latin and Divinity to name a few.'
On his upbringing and the emergence of these twin aspirations in school and elite sport, the winger discussed how he signed for Chelsea.
'Like every kid, I played football from a very young age,' he said. 'It would have been around the age of seven or eight that I realised I had a special talent. About the same time, I saw my academic gift coming to fruition as well.
'There were different top academies across the UK that approached me. Chelsea were the ones who showed the most interest and essentially being the top academy, they really wanted to get me, and did in the end.'
Mendel-Idowu also spoke about whether he would like to pursue a degree whilst playing football at the same time too.
'I'm sitting my first year of specialist study so it’s a bit early to think about that,' was his reply. 'Combining a degree with playing, the logistics would need to be organised. From my perspective though, nothing is impossible. I think I’ve already started to prove that!'
Mendel-Idowu's ability to combine academia with football is very impressive for a young man and he definitely has a bright future on his hands. To catch the full interview with FIFA.com, click here.
Our Under-18s return to action in the league on Saturday away at West Brom, kick-off 12noon. The young Blues are currently fifth in the southern section, five points behind league leaders Southampton.
Meanwhile, our FA Youth Cup semi-final opponents have been determined after Nottingham Forest beat Blackburn Rovers 3-1 on Thursday night. Ed Brand's side will now travel to the City Ground, with a date to be confirmed in due course.