Wearing the blue shirt of his boyhood club, Shumaira Mheuka stepped onto the pitch he had long dreamed of playing on. From the beginning, his goal had been simple: to play for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

That dream was fulfilled on Tuesday 25 February, 2025. Under the bright lights of our stadium in west London, and in front of 39,485 supporters, Mheuka made his Premier League debut in a 4-0 win over Southampton.

It is a moment that lives in the heart and mind of Mheuka, but one that didn't happen by chance. His journey to that appearance began years earlier, as a young boy who would chase a dream and turn it into reality.

After an impressive spell at Brighton & Hove Albion, Mheuka joined the Blues after his Under-14s season. It was a big step in his career, but a world away from being handed his Premier League bow.

Mheuka has a ball, presented to him by head coach Enzo Maresca, commemorating that achievement. It was a proud moment of recognition; a reminder of how far he has come. And we sat down with Shumaira to reflect on a season filled with learning, growth and unforgettable moments.

'I’ve always watched Chelsea and supported the club,' the 17-year-old begins with a smile. 'I used to sit in front of the television and dream that one day I would step onto the pitch at Stamford Bridge wearing the Chelsea shirt. I think every kid who loves football has that picture in their head. For me, it was always the Bridge.

'To make my Premier League debut there...it's hard to put into words. The atmosphere, the energy, the passion of the supporters, it all hits you at once. The noise of the fans, the banging of the gates, the chants, it gives you goosebumps. You grow up dreaming of it, and when it finally happens, it’s better than you ever imagined.

'I didn’t expect much reaction from the fans because I’m still young, but they were unbelievable. Each one cheered me on. You try to stay focused and in the zone, but moments like that are special. It was everything I’ve worked for. To experience it in a Chelsea shirt at the Bridge, I’ll carry that with me forever.'

Let’s rewind to where this campaign of firsts began for the young forward. It was in July, shortly before pre-season, that Mheuka and 10 fellow Academy players signed their scholarships. That moment marked the start of his official transition into full-time Under-18s football.

'An important milestone,' he says. 'It felt like the first real step towards everything I’ve been working for. It’s a commitment, a sign of trust from the club and a big responsibility too.

'Everyone knows how special the Academy is. There’s so much history here. So many players have come through the ranks and achieved amazing things. So when I signed, I knew I was in the best place possible to grow. The Academy gives you everything: top coaching, great facilities, a winning culture. For me, it was about grabbing that opportunity.

'Signing that scholarship felt like a fresh start. It was a message to myself to keep working, stay focused and push even harder. To do that with my family around me made it even more meaningful. They’ve sacrificed so much to help me get to this point.'

Mheuka made an immediate impact with our Under-18s in the early weeks of the season, and a brace against Stoke City in our opening Premier League Cup fixture in August earned him a call-up to the Under-21s squad.

'I didn’t spend too much time in the Under-18s,' Shim reflects. 'In the games I did play, I felt like I made an impact. Working under Hass (Hassan Sulaiman) was great; he's very detailed and has a clear playing style. At the same time, he's a coach who gave me the freedom to roam and cover the whole pitch. I enjoyed working with him.

'The step up to the Under-21s came quite smoothly. I was confident in my ability to handle the challenge. I’d been scoring goals and putting in the work at Under-18s level, but stepping up – the pace, the physicality, the decision-making – everything changes. But I stayed locked in and showed the coaches I was ready.'

Ready he was. His first goal for the Under-21s came in style: an expertly taken finish in a fiery 6-0 win over west London neighbours Fulham in October.

'That was a great moment,' he says. 'It took me a little time to get on the score sheet, which I think is normal when you move up, but it felt like something out of a story when the moment came.

'Being a Chelsea fan and scoring against your local rivals, it doesn’t get much better than that. The team was flying that day, we meant business. Those academy derbies are intense. There’s a real edge, everyone wants to win.

'Scoring in that kind of atmosphere, in a match that meant a lot to the group, was special. It gave me confidence and that sense of belonging. That goal motivated me to go again and, yeah, I had to find the photographer and celebrate with a knee slide!'

October brought more success as, following his 17th birthday, he signed his first professional contract with Chelsea. It is a major milestone for any Academy player and a significant step in Mheuka's journey.

'Signing my first pro contract was one of the proudest moments of my life,' he admits. 'It’s what every young footballer dreams about. I can’t really describe the feeling. It was just another moment that proved my hard work was being recognised.

'I know these opportunities don’t come easy. So when it happens, you have to be grateful. Grateful to the club, to the coaches, and to your family. At the same time, you realise how important it is to keep proving you deserve the contract, that you deserve to wear the badge.

'It felt like a reward for all the sacrifices, but also felt like the beginning: "Right, now the real work starts".'

Throughout these key moments, Mheuka's support system has remained a constant. His family has been with him every step of the way and provided the encouragement and stability that fuels his ambition.

'Reaching these milestones is emotional,' he continues. 'Not just for me, but for my family. They’ve done everything for me. Whether it’s driving me to training after work, supporting me through the highs and lows, or always putting me first. This wasn’t just my contract, it was theirs too. I’ll never forget that.

'My dad has been my biggest influence. He’s been with me through everything, during the hard times, the doubts, the long drives. I play because I love football, but I also play for him. My mum keeps me grounded, too. I’m only 17 and she reminds me of that; she lets me know it’s okay to make mistakes. Everyone does. Sometimes, that’s exactly what you need to hear. I’m grateful for that.'

Riding the wave of a season of highs, it was in December that Mheuka received his next big opportunity. The Chelsea striker was included in the senior squad’s trip to Kazakhstan in the UEFA Conference League, a competition that offered a valuable chance for Academy talent to gain experience at first-team level.

In freezing conditions against Astana, the striker made his senior debut, coming on in the second half to replace Marc Guiu, and being joined on the pitch by Academy team-mates Ato Ampah, Samuel Rak-Sakyi and Kiano Dyer in our 3-1 victory. It was a defining night in their journeys and a testament to the talent being developed at Cobham.

'It's a moment I'll always remember,' the 17-year-old says. 'I was buzzing just to travel and be in the squad, but to step on the pitch and make my debut was something else entirely.

'Before stepping on, I took a deep breath and reminded myself why I was there. It felt like one of those dreams you’ve played out in your head 100 times, but in that moment, I felt ready. I had put in the work, day in and day out, behind the scenes. I just wanted to make the most of that opportunity.

'The support from the senior players and coaches made the difference. Enzo gave me confidence and belief, and the rest of the squad welcomed me like I belonged. That kind of environment is crucial when you're a young player coming into a group with so much talent.

'What made it even more special was sharing the pitch with the other Academy boys. We’ve all grown up together at Cobham. To have that moment showed how strong the development pathway is and how far we’ve all come.

'I am incredibly grateful to have been given that opportunity so early in my career. It showed that the club believes in me and that trust means everything. I wanted to take in every second - the pace, the pressure, the energy. It was a big moment, and has given me a hunger for more.'

With his confidence growing on and off the pitch, it wasn’t only in Academy matches that Mheuka made an impression. He regularly joined the men's training sessions at Cobham and in March came another milestone as he earned his first senior start in our 2-1 Conference League win away in Copenhagen.

'It was a huge moment in my career,' he recalls. 'Strangely, I wasn’t as nervous as people might imagine. I just wanted to get out there and show what I could do. When Enzo said my name in the starting line-up in the meeting, I took a deep breath and switched into game mode. I’ve always trained the way I play, with intensity, focus and purpose. I felt ready.

'The game itself was a massive learning experience. You’re up against senior professionals who’ve been at that level for years. It really pushes you. You have to think faster, move smarter, and adapt quickly, but I loved every minute.

'It was a brilliant opportunity to test myself against players from different backgrounds and cultures, each with their own playing styles. It was one of those pinch-me moments, but I felt I had earned it.'

Momentum continued to build into April. Under Filipe Coelho’s guidance, Mheuka thrived with the Under-21s as the team pushed to finish as high as possible in the Premier League 2 table. Eventually, third place was secured.

Another special memory was formed in the Under-21s' last home fixture of the 2024/25 campaign at Stamford Bridge, as Mheuka found the net in a commanding 4–1 win.

'Scoring at Stamford Bridge is something I’ll always remember,' he says. 'It was against Villa and when the ball went in, it felt like time stood still. I’ve imagined that moment over and over. It meant everything to me.

'After the match, seeing some of the fans and hearing them cheer gave me a real sense of connection. It reminded me why we work so hard every day; we play for those supporters who back us no matter what. That goal wasn’t just about me, it was for them too, and a moment I’ll carry with me for a long time.'

The Under-21s' 2024/25 season ended in the Premier League 2 quarter-finals, but the work doesn’t stop for Mheuka. The hunger is there. The ambition is clear.