It has already been a highly successful campaign for the Blues, who secured top spot in the Premier League 2 table and lifted the league phase trophy.

• Get you ticket for Chelsea vs Tottenham in the Premier League 2 quarter-finals

Carrying that momentum into the knockout stage, we progressed to the quarter-finals with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough in the round of 16. A second-half strike from Mathis Eboue proved decisive, with the team showing resilience to see out the win despite being reduced to 10 men.

Now, attention turns to another significant test against London rivals Tottenham, which will be shown live for free on the Chelsea Official App and website.

One player who has been central to the Under-21s’ success this season is defender Murray-Campbell. A consistent presence in the squad, he has made 29 appearances across all competitions, including 19 in the league. Alongside contributing to seven clean sheets, the centre-back has added six goals and four assists, underlining his impact at both ends of the pitch.

With knockout football now under way, the stakes are even higher. London derbies are always fiercely contested and this one carries added significance with a place in the semi-finals on the line. The Blues are aiming to take another step towards completing a league and play-off double.

With that in mind, we sat down with Murray-Campbell to reflect on the season so far and look ahead to Friday night’s clash.

First of all, Harrison, the Under-21s won the league phase. How was that experience?

It was amazing. It’s something we worked towards all season, so to finally get our hands on the trophy was a great moment.

As a Chelsea player coming through the Academy since your development centre days, what does that mean to you?

It feels like the pinnacle of academy football. It’s one of the biggest trophies at this level, so to win it with this group of players makes it even more special.

How have you found this season?

I’ve really enjoyed it. The team has been successful and I feel like I’ve played a part in that. I’ve scored more than I expected and contributed with assists as well. We’ve done well to win the first part of the league and now we want to kick on in the play-offs. It’s a collective effort, everyone has contributed to our success this season. I’m excited for what’s ahead for the group.

How did you find the Middlesbrough game last time out?

It was a good game. We showed great togetherness, especially after going down to 10 men. The team stuck together to see it through. I was pleased with my performance, keeping a clean sheet and contributing an assist for Mathis [Eboue] to score the winner.

How do you deal with the pressure of knockout football?

I enjoy the pressure. I try to use it as a positive rather than a negative. Big moments suit big players and I want to step up and help the team get the result.

What qualities are important in these moments?

You need to stay composed and focused. It’s not always going to be easy, so resilience and togetherness are key.

How important is momentum going into the play-offs?

It’s really important. We’ve been in good form, winning games. The boys are confident and ready for what’s next.

Your next opponent is Tottenham Hotspur, a big rival. What does that mean to you?

It’s a massive game. The rivalry between Chelsea and Tottenham is huge, even at academy level. These matches are always tough, but we’ve had good results against them before. We’re all really up for it, and hopefully we can deliver on Friday and reach the semi-finals of the Premier League 2 play-offs.

Do you have any final messages for your team-mates and supporters?

For the team, it’s about going out and giving everything. We know what we’re capable of, so it’s about showing that and proving what we deserve after all the hard work this season. We need to stick together, play as a team and fight for each other.

For the supporters, thank you for your support so far. We want to see and hear you on Friday because it makes a huge difference. It feels like having an extra player on the pitch, and hopefully we can put on a good performance for you.

Show your support!

There is still time to secure tickets for the Premier League 2 play-off quarter-final against Tottenham Hotspur at Kingsmeadow, which kicks off at 7pm on Friday 1 May. Season ticket holders, members and supporters under the age of 20 can claim one free ticket for the match until midday on Thursday 30 May. General sale tickets are also available to purchase now here.

Supporters can also watch the game free of charge on the Chelsea Official App and website. This can be accessed via the homepage shortly before kick-off or through the match centre.