Chelsea have made an exceptional start to the UEFA Youth League campaign, winning all four of our opening matches. Those results against Bayern Munich, Benfica, Ajax and, most recently, Qarabag have taken the Blues to the top of the league phase table.

Led by head coach Calum McFarlane, the Under-19s squad blends talent from both our Under-21s and Under-18s groups, and one of the players in the thick of the action has been striker Mheuka. The 18-year-old has featured in all four fixtures so far, captaining the side in three of them.

As attention turns to Tuesday afternoon’s home meeting with Barcelona at Cobham, there is a clear sense of anticipation across the group. The Spanish side have made an impressive start of their own, winning three of their opening four fixtures.

After training, we caught up with Mheuka to hear how the squad has settled back in following the November international break, during which he and several team-mates were representing their country.

‘Everyone is in a really good mood and we’re all happy to be back,’ the forward said with a smile. ‘The international break was another good experience, like always, but now our full focus is on the Youth League. As a group we all know we have to give our all for that.’

Mheuka returns from England Under-19 duty during their UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifying campaign, where he once again showcased his goalscoring instincts by finding the net against both Scotland and Lithuania.

His form for club and country has been a constant theme throughout the 2025/26 season. For the Blues he has recorded 13 goals in 12 appearances across all competitions, including a hat-trick in our Premier League 2 opener against Manchester City at Kingsmeadow.

‘I feel positive in my current form,’ he reflected. ‘England was a really good experience. I managed to score a few goals, which helped us qualify, and moments like that give you confidence going into the next round. Getting goals always gives you momentum.

‘When you score, you carry that feeling into the next game. You know what it feels like, so you expect the chances to come again. It’s just about staying calm and composed when they do.

'I always take it game by game. I focus on what’s next rather than looking too far ahead or back, because I don’t want to lose focus. The main thing is getting the win each week.

‘And, of course, scoring is always special. I’ve been fortunate for it to happen quite a lot and every time it’s a great feeling. It’s almost like a buzz, a rush in a good way. It keeps you hungry and pushes you to keep going.’

That sharpness has carried into the UEFA Youth League, where Mheuka has scored in three of his four appearances so far - including a superb hat-trick in our 5-2 win against Benfica at our training ground.

‘I really like this competition,’ he continued. ‘There’s always something special about playing European teams. They bring a different edge. It’s a great opportunity to face opponents you might not normally play against, who have different styles and approaches.

‘For me, my job is to lead the boys and make sure we get the best out of everyone. It’s also about scoring goals - doing what I do best. I want to bring quality, work hard for the team and make an impact in the final third.

‘It’s a big stage, so everyone wants to compete and show what we can do on it. I think we’ve risen to the challenge well. On big occasions you have to step up, that’s what the best of the best do.

‘As a group we’ve handled everything really well. We gel together because most of us have played with each other already, whether for the Under-21s or across the age groups in training. That bond and togetherness is important because it shows we want to fight for each other.’

With Barcelona approaching fast, several players will be facing the side for the first time, in a fixture that holds a special aura for any young Blue who grew up watching iconic clashes between Chelsea and the Catalan side.

‘I’m buzzing for it,’ enthused Mheuka. ‘Honestly, it’s been highlighted in my calendar all year. It’s a big occasion and I can’t wait. Everyone knows the level Barcelona bring, so it’s a game you really look forward to.

‘You always try to approach every match the same, but obviously Barcelona is one of the big ones. You could say it feels different, but for me personally I prepare the same way, with the same intensity and the same mindset. It’s just about focusing on what’s in front of us. We don’t want to get carried away by the occasion.

‘We want to get the three points and show our togetherness. We’ve won all our games in the Youth League so far, so the aim is to keep that going. We tend to perform well in big games, so it’s about doing what we always do and trusting our approach.’

Having worn the armband under McFarlane for both the Under-21s and in this competition, Mheuka finishes with a message for his team-mates as we prepare for one of the standout fixtures of the Youth League season.

‘Let’s go out there and get the three points. Show the world what we’re capable of. A lot of people will be watching, so it’s about sticking to our values, doing what we do best, and getting the win.’