Chelsea Under-21s will compete against senior opposition in this season’s EFL Vertu Trophy, having been drawn in Group C alongside Northampton Town, Shrewsbury Town and Walsall.
The competition features Category One academy teams from Premier League clubs alongside 48 senior sides from League One and League Two. The teams are split into northern and southern sections, with each side playing the others in their group once. The top two teams in each group advance to the knockout rounds.
Last season, the Blues recorded a thrilling 3-2 win over Bromley, but suffered defeats to Cambridge United and Charlton Athletic, which prevented progression beyond the group stage.
The tournament offers a valuable chance for our Under-21s players to test themselves against experienced men’s teams and play in senior stadiums - a first for several members of the young Chelsea squad.
Our campaign begins with a trip to Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday 26 August at Croud Meadow. That is followed by a match against Northampton Town at Sixfields Stadium on Tuesday 23 September.
The Under-21s group stage concludes at the Bescot Stadium with a fixture against Walsall on Tuesday 28 October. All three matches will kick off at 7pm and supporters in the UK can watch every EFL Vertu Trophy match live via Sky Sports.