It has been a stand-out season for Chelsea Under-21s so far, with the side finishing top of the Premier League 2 table at the end of the league phase, after an outstanding campaign that saw the Blues record 14 wins and one draw from 20 matches, with the title confirmed following the final regular-season fixture against Fulham.

• Get your ticket for Chelsea vs Middlesbrough at Kingsmeadow in the Premier League 2 play-offs

To mark the achievement, the team celebrated in front of supporters at Stamford Bridge, completing a lap of honour ahead of the men’s Premier League game against Manchester United. The occasion provided a special moment for the squad, as they received their medals and lifted the trophy in front of the home crowd.

The focus now shifts to the play-offs, where the top 16 teams compete in a knockout format. Having finished top of the table, Chelsea will face 16th-placed Middlesbrough in the first round, with the tie set to take place at Kingsmeadow on Saturday, kicking off at 2pm.

Alongside team success, the season has also been marked by significant individual development across the squad. Jesse Derry made his senior debut in the FA Cup against Hull City, while Ryan Kavuma-McQueen also featured in the competition during the quarter-final win over Port Vale. Both players have been part of a group that continues to make progress at senior level.

There has also been recognition on an individual level, with Kavuma-McQueen and defender Harrison Murray-Campbell both nominated for the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award for their part in the team's unbeaten March - the former going on to win the award.

With celebrations now complete and attention fully turning to the play-offs, we caught up with Hudson to reflect on the league title success and preview the challenges ahead.

Firstly, congratulations Harry. You’ve secured the Premier League 2 league title, how do you reflect on that achievement now?

'I’m incredibly proud of the players and everything they’ve achieved this season. They’ve shown real maturity and resilience throughout.

'It was an unusual way to win the league as well. We didn’t actually realise we’d won it until the other result came through, so there was a bit of a strange, mixed feeling at the final whistle. But once it was confirmed, it really sank in.

'Over the course of 20 games, it’s a thoroughly deserved achievement. It’s not about one result, it’s about consistency, and the players have shown that throughout the season.

'It’s also something the club hasn’t done for a while and, when you factor in that we’ve had one of the youngest squads in the PL2, it makes it even more impressive. It’s a fantastic accomplishment and one that should be celebrated across the club.'

How significant is it for young players to experience winning at this stage of their development?

'It’s hugely important. This is a club with a strong history of winning and part of our role in the development pathway is to help young players understand what that looks and feels like.

'It’s not about winning at all costs, but learning how to win - understanding the habits, the standards and the mentality required - is a crucial part of their growth.

'Moments like this, where their hard work comes to fruition, are really valuable. They help reinforce those behaviours and give the players something tangible to build on moving forward.'

With a season that’s brought both challenges and success, how much credit do the staff and players deserve for the consistency they’ve shown throughout?

'They deserve a huge amount of credit. First and foremost, the staff who have worked with the group since July have been outstanding. They’ve provided consistency, guidance and real support for the players throughout the season.

'The players themselves have also been excellent. They’ve handled the challenge really well and will have learned a lot from the experience.

'This title is a collective achievement. It belongs to everyone who’s been involved from the start, but especially to the players. They’ve stuck together, shown real unity and fully deserve their success.'

Moving on to the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award, how pleased are you for Ryan to receive that individual recognition?

'I’m delighted for him. It’s a fantastic accolade and thoroughly deserved. His goals and assists over the past month have been a key part of the team’s success.

'He’s still a very young player with a huge amount of potential and I’m really pleased with how he’s developing. He’s got real quality and it’s our job to continue supporting that.

'I also want to say a huge well done to Harrison [Murray-Campbell]. It’s not often a defender gets nominated so, like Ryan, we were really pleased to see both of their names put forward.

'More broadly, any individual recognition our players receive is a reflection of the team. That’s where our focus remains. Strong team performances give individuals the platform to thrive.'

Attention now turns to the Premier League 2 play-offs. How is the group feeling ahead of the next challenge?

'There’s a real sense of excitement. These are high-pressure knockout games and that’s exactly the kind of environment that helps accelerate development.

'There’s also a strong hunger within the group to try and complete the double - winning the league and then going on to win the play-offs. That’s a big motivation for us.

'We’re embracing the challenge, the pressure and the jeopardy that comes with these fixtures. At the same time, we’ve been working hard to build momentum again after a break where we felt we lost a bit of rhythm.

'Our focus has been on regaining sharpness, consistency and ensuring we’re in the best possible place going into that first knockout game.'

What kind of message have you been giving the players about handling knockout pressure?

'The main message is to embrace it. These are the moments you want to be involved in. You can’t shy away from the pressure.

'At the same time, there’s a balance to strike. We don’t want to over play the occasion or create unnecessary tension, because the players still need to express themselves and perform at their best.

'There’s no getting away from the fact that these are effectively four finals if we want to achieve what we want this season. So it’s about recognising the magnitude of the challenge, but also keeping the players in the right mental space to perform.

'We’ll continue to assess the group and manage that balance depending on what they need in the build-up.'

Support the Blues!

Chelsea kick-off the Premier League 2 play-offs at Kingsmeadow against Middlesbrough at 2pm on Saturday 25 April. All season ticket holders, members and supporters under the age of 20 can claim one free ticket for the game until midday on Friday 24 April. General sale tickets are also available to purchase now here.

Due to broadcast restrictions, the free live stream of this game on the Chelsea Official App and website will only be available to view for supporters outside of the UK.