The Blues lost out in the Leasing.com Trophy against League One Bristol Rovers last night, with Charlie Brown firing us into a half-time lead before Rovers hit a second-half double to take the points on the evening.
Goalscorer Charlie Brown spoke to Chelsea TV following last night’s game and took pride in the character shown in a battling display by his team-mates.
‘It took us five or ten minutes to get used to the game, we had a young team out but I thought the boys showed great character throughout,' he said after the game. 'They dug in deep and we were unlucky to lose the game. I thought we at least deserved a draw.'
A handful of Chelsea development players have been training with Frank Lampard's senior squad ahead of the Carabao Cup tie against Grimsby Town on Wednesday night and Brown recognised the efforts of the younger players who made the step up in last night’s clash.
‘We’ve lost a few boys to the senior team and good luck to them against Grimsby but I was really proud of the character shown from the boys today,' he added. ‘I'm proud of the young ones that came in as well.’
The forward’s right-footed strike was his second in this season's competition after he netted the winner in the opening game against Swindon Town at the County Ground. He realises the benefit that the Leasing.com Trophy has for academy players in terms of their development and getting used to different styles of football.
‘On a personal note, I’m happy to have scored,' he continued. 'I’m obviously gutted it was for nothing in the end but it’s a great competition to show what you are about and score goals in, so I’m happy for myself.
‘It’s a different type of challenge. The league games are more academy-style football but in the second half, we were 1-0 up and the first thing they did was put the ball into our box, so it’s a different style of game. We're not used to the direct play so it’s a good test for the boys.'
Leicester City is next up for the Blues in PL2 and Brown wants to continue the development squad’s strong start.
‘We’re top of the league and we’ve had a great start so we have just got to kick on with that,' he added. 'Leicester is always a tough game, it will be a little bit similar to tonight’s game, and hopefully we can get back on the winning streak.’