Tickets remain available for the Stamford Bridge final as the Chelsea Under-18s look to add the national title to the Under-18 Premier League South trophy we secured earlier this month.

• Find out how to claim your free ticket for Chelsea vs Manchester City in the Under-18 Premier League National Final here now

It has been an outstanding season for our Under-18s, who sealed the southern crown following a run of nine consecutive league victories. The title was confirmed in style with a commanding 5-0 win over Leicester City at Cobham, a fitting end to a campaign that has showcased the group’s consistency, quality and unity.

Chelsea finished top of the table after collecting 67 points from 28 matches, recording 21 wins and four draws along the way. A central figure in that success has been Waite.

The defender was named captain and has led the side on 18 occasions. His influence has gone beyond leadership, with the centre-back playing more minutes than any other member of the squad, amassing 2,235 in league competition.

Having topped the southern table, the young Blues now have the opportunity to complete a league double when they take to the Stamford Bridge pitch for the first time this season. Awaiting them are northern champions Manchester City, setting up a meeting between the two best Under-18 sides in the country with the national title at stake.

Preparations at Cobham are well under way as Friday night approaches. The mood in the camp is one of confidence and excitement, with the players fully focused on producing another strong performance and capping an excellent season with more silverware.

Ahead of the final, we sat down with Waite to discuss his development this season, what captaining Chelsea means to him and the opportunity to lead the team out at Stamford Bridge.

Dante, how would you sum up the 2025/26 season so far?

'I think the season has gone very well. The development of both myself as an individual and the team as a whole has been clear to see throughout the year.

'On a personal level, being named captain has been a huge honour and something I am very proud of. As a team, winning the Under-18 Premier League South title in the manner we did was a fantastic achievement and a reward for all the hard work we have put in.'

You have been at Chelsea from a young age. What does it mean to play for Chelsea Under-18s and come through the Academy?

'It is a real privilege. Representing Chelsea is something every young player dreams of and I am very proud to be able to say I have done that. Everyone in this squad has worked hard to earn the right to wear the badge.

'The Academy gives you everything you need to develop and improve. It is then up to you to make the most of the opportunity.

'The group we have here is as close to a family as you can get and that makes the experience even more special.'

Looking back on the season, how do you feel you have developed as a player and how much has playing the most minutes in the squad helped you physically and mentally?

'The biggest area of development for me this season has been my maturity. Playing regularly has given me the chance to learn more about my game, try different things and understand what works best for me.

'Mentally, I stay motivated by remembering that every time I step onto the pitch for Chelsea is a privilege and another opportunity to improve.

'Physically, it comes down to discipline. That means doing the recovery work, looking after yourself away from football and focusing on the small details when nobody is watching. The staff at Chelsea provide you with everything you need to perform at the highest level.'

How significant was winning the Under-18 Premier League South title and how rewarding was it to lift a trophy after such a long and demanding season?

'It was a massive achievement for the group. We had not won the Under-18 league title for two years, so it was an important moment for everyone involved in the Academy.

'It felt like the reward for all the hard work we had put in over the course of the season. Winning is something I always want to do, so developing those habits and that mentality at a young age is really valuable.'

How did you celebrate winning the league and how important is the unity within the squad?

'We celebrated together as players and staff. That made the moment even more special because we are such a close group.

'The unity within the squad is one of our biggest strengths. We trust each other, we work hard for one another and that connection has played a huge part in our success this season.'

What has captaining the side taught you and what qualities do you think are most important in a leader?

'Captaining the team has helped me mature both on and off the pitch. It has taught me to think beyond my own performance and consider what the team needs as a whole.

'For me, a good leader has to be approachable so team-mates feel comfortable speaking to you. You also need to be coachable because there is always more to learn. Most importantly, you have to set the standard every day through your attitude and behaviour.'

As a Chelsea player, how important are the standards expected at the club?

'They are hugely important. No matter your age or position, there are standards you are expected to maintain every day. Those standards help create the environment that allows players and teams to perform consistently at a high level.'

How much confidence has your recent form given you heading into the national final?

'It has given us a lot of confidence. Over the last eight or nine games, we have been performing at a very high level, keeping clean sheets and winning convincingly. That run has put us in a strong position going into the final and we feel ready for the challenge ahead.'

What would it mean to you and the squad to play at Stamford Bridge and potentially lift a trophy there?

'Playing at Stamford Bridge is a huge honour. It is a stadium we all dream of playing in and a place that represents where we want to be in the future.

'Growing up, I used to go there to watch Chelsea play, so to have the opportunity to step out onto that pitch myself is something I am incredibly grateful for. To lift a trophy there would be one of the proudest moments of our careers.'

You have faced Manchester City a couple of times this season. How do you approach a game of this magnitude?

'We know it will be a tough game. We cannot just turn up and expect to win. We will need to give everything, stay focused and maintain our standards throughout the match.

'We have experienced plenty of high-pressure situations this season and I believe we are ready to handle the occasion.'

As a defender, what would represent the ideal performance for you?

'A clean sheet. That is always the main objective for me. If we keep a clean sheet, I am confident we will give ourselves a great chance of winning the game.'

Do you have a message for supporters who are thinking about coming to Stamford Bridge?

'Come down and support us. It will be a great occasion and hopefully we can put in a performance that makes everyone proud.'

Support the boys

Tickets are available here now for the Under-18 Premier League National Final against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. Season ticket holders (both men’s and women’s teams), members and under-20s are eligible for a free ticket. General sale tickets are priced at £4.