People have been asked to follow government guidelines and stay home to help control the virus with social distancing measures in place following the coronavirus outbreak.

This has meant that students studying our Football Coaching and Development programme in partnership with St Mary’s University have had to adapt to studying online.

Former Blues goalkeeper and now club ambassador Cudicini took the time out to join the students and he spoke about key moments in his playing career, his current role within the club and gave advice to aspiring coaches.

Cudicini said: ‘I really enjoyed it. As I mentioned to the students, it’s a pleasure to be able to help and pass on my experience as a footballer and as a coach and mentor.

‘It’s a great idea to keep the students connected throughout these workshops and it’s absolutely fantastic what the Foundation is doing.

‘The projects, the amount of energy and dedication they put in it, it’s amazing. Personally, I love to help and be available for these projects as all the people at the Foundation deserve any kind of support.’

Michael Ayres, a senior lecturer on the programme and a Chelsea Academy coach, said: ‘Carlo gave us a real insight into his career as a former player and coach and now in his role in the loan department at the football club.

‘For our current and prospective students it was an amazing opportunity to ask probing questions to a person of his stature and experience.

‘His responses to their questions were insightful and provided our students with some clear professional and personal development advice.’

Cudicini’s appearance follows on from former defenders Gary Chivers and Claire Rafferty taking part in similar video calls with our men and women’s walking football teams as the Foundation continue to stay engaged with our participants of all ages.

Tom Howard, who is also a lecturer on the programme and a Chelsea Academy coach, said: ‘Carlo’s honesty and detailed insight represented a great opportunity for our students, currently undertaking a Professional Development module, to understand the demands of working in an elite senior environment.

‘The process of constructing probing questions was also excellent preparation for their assessment this week, where they will partake in a live online professional conversation.’

For more information on our programme in partnership with St Mary’s University, click on the links below or email [email protected]

The two-year Foundation Degree (FdSc)

The one-year top-up (BSc)