Preparations for the new campaign are gaining momentum at Cobham, with our Under-21s and Under-18s delivering sharp performances on the pitch and working hard behind the scenes as the countdown to competitive football continues.
Training sessions have been intense, match minutes have been valuable, and the atmosphere at Cobham reflects a shared determination to start the campaign strongly.
And the past fortnight has delivered an encouraging run of results that underlines the progress made in training and the growing cohesion within each group.
There has been a determination to our Under-21s side in our pre-season outings, and a 2-1 victory away at Championship side Preston North End on 2 August came thanks to a brace from Ryan Kavuma-McQueen.
New scholar Chizaram Ezenwata then made a strong impression four days later at Cobham, scoring both goals in a 2-1 triumph over Stoke City, which was the first home fixture under new head coach Calum McFarlane.
That win was about more than just the scoreline, however, as it also highlighted the impact and intensity of our substitutes, who were introduced and made a telling difference.
Momentum was carried into our most recent match against Brentford, where Kavuma-McQueen and Shumaira Mheuka secured a third consecutive win. McFarlane’s side appears to be a close-knit group, and combines fresh energy with a togetherness that will be vital over a long campaign.
The Under-21s begin their Premier League 2 campaign at home against reigning champions Manchester City next Monday at Kingsmeadow.
Meanwhile, Hassan Sulaiman’s Under-18s travelled to Leeds United and came away with a confident 2-0 win; Olutayo Subuloye and schoolboy Reggie Watson found the net.
The performance showcased the technical quality within the side and the players' developing understanding of each other’s movements and style of play.
Our Under-18s have one final pre-season test tomorrow against Watford, before the focus shifts to the short journey to Crystal Palace for our season opener on Saturday 23 August.
Chelsea supporters will have the chance to cheer on the next generation at Kingsmeadow throughout the season, with full ticket information to follow soon. The Academy is set for a fresh chapter, with the players eager to make an impact from day one.