While our quest to reclaim the FA Youth Cup ended at the semi-final stage away at Nottingham Forest, there was still cause for celebration before the campaign close as we triumphed in the Under-18 Premier League Cup at Craven Cottage in May.

Amid plenty of schoolboy representation throughout the term, the young Blues ultimately finished seventh in the southern league division. However, that was placed in the context of a number of players stepping up to the development squad and even a senior debut for first-year scholar Lewis Hall, a reminder of the contrasting elements involved in youth development.

Brand has remained grounded throughout and highlights the need for constant improvement to ensure we maintain our status as a top-operating academy. Here, the official Chelsea website takes a look back on 2021/22 by selecting moments and hearing Brand’s end-of-season thoughts…

League performance

‘When you bear in mind the age of the group and the number of factors that can have an impact on a group of young players, I think our league performance was good with room for improvement,’ said Brand.

‘The year was unique in that some players from week-to-week were playing with a different age group so I must commend the group for remaining focused and competing valiantly for the league.

‘This is underlined by the fact that we were in the race to win the title up until the latter weeks, which is indicative of our ability to compete despite other clubs being able to pick their strongest and a similar line-up on a weekly basis.’

Brand called upon under-16 talents Ato Ampah, Noah Hay and Harrison Murray-Campbell on occasion, due to players like Jude Soonsup-Bell, Lewis Hall and Harvey Vale being heavily involved with the development squad despite remaining eligible to play for the youth team.

FA Youth Cup

Our young Blues put in some memorable performances to make it into the last four of the competition. However, with Brand’s boys just minutes from a final at Old Trafford, the unthinkable occurred as we conceded three late goals.

‘A crazy seven minutes cost us a place in the final against a strong Manchester United team that we had already beaten in our run to the Premier League Cup final,’ said the youth team boss.

‘These things can happen in cup competitions. We will learn from it and use it as experience to help ourselves next season as a lot of the boys involved in the campaign just gone will be a part of next year’s campaign.’

Under-18 Premier League Cup

Despite that disappointment in the Youth Cup, we did manage to secure silverware with a 2-1 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage in the Under-18 Premier League Cup final to take the trophy back to Cobham for the second time in four years.

‘We were able to end the season with something tangible and I am pleased with this win because on paper, I would argue the level of opposition that we faced was actually higher in this competition than in the Youth Cup,’ he said.

‘I’m pleased with the season overall and I’m pleased with the level of progress that individuals have made.’

Incoming scholars

‘With players signing their professional contracts, it means that more will be competing for starting berths and this is good, healthy competition, which in turn aids development,’ explained Brand.

First-year scholars of the past season Lewis Hall, Billy Gee and Louis Flower have all been involved with the older age groups, which highlights the opportunities that exist if training and performances are at a high level.

‘The majority of these incoming scholars have been involved with youth team football already and I look forward to them stepping up with us as their enthusiasm and excitement going into this new phase pushes the team forward.’

Brand’s assistant Andy Ross also echoed this sentiment about the first years, claiming: ‘They have a point to prove and that only helps the team get better as it ensures the boys already in the team are not resting on their laurels.

‘With places up for grabs, it’s important that we all come together and push each other to be the best that we can be.’

Goal of the season

Ronnie Stutter’s strike against Tottenham got Brand’s vote, with the boss explaining: ‘We made several passes building out from the back which resulted in a lovely finish from Ronnie.

‘When you talk about the philosophy set by Neil Bath and by us with the way that we want to play, I think this goal against our London rivals really encapsulates our identity.’

Stutter found the scoresheet nine times in the league over the course of the season and the goal against the north London side was indeed a memorable one, as was a spectacular effort from Josh Tobin.

‘From an individual perspective, I would have to go with Josh’s goal from the halfway line against Stoke City in the semi-finals of the Premier League Cup. That goal rounded off what was a complete team performance.’

Moment of the season

‘Winning a trophy at Craven Cottage will always be special but I must place it alongside the 4-3 comeback win against Liverpool in the Youth Cup,’ he added.

Our young Blues fought back from 3-0 down to beat Liverpool away from home in one of the biggest comebacks in Youth Cup history.

‘This club is like a family and when there are tough moments we stick together. Neil Bath is the best in the business at what he does and he has created a culture that allows not only the players but all staff to thrive in.’

Season statistics

Under-18s appearances (37)Castledine 27+5, Badley-Morgan 25+2, Silcott-Duberry 23+6, Adegoke 22, Mothersille 20+9, Andersson 20+6, Gee 20+3, Tobin 20, Stutter 19+2, Rak-Sakyi 17+6, Hughes 17, Mendel-Idowu 16+8, Olise 14+4, Curd 14, Hall 14, Webster 14, Flower 13+12, Abu 13+6, Thomas 11+7, Tauriainen 11+3, Gilchrist 11+1, Soonsup-Bell 8, Murray-Campbell 6, Boniface 5+2, Williams 5, Vale 4, Wilson 4, Akomeah 3+1, Golding 3, Ampah 2+3, George 2+1, Kpakpe 1+4, Acheampong 1, Merrick 1, Terry (T) 1, Hay 0+3, Russell-Denny 0+3, C Chibueze 0+2, McNeilly 0+2, Dyer 0+1, Starkey (T) 0+1

Under-18s goals (100)Mothersille 16, Stutter 12, Castledine 11 (2 pens), Mendel-Idowu 8, Andersson 7, Flower 6, Soonsup-Bell 6, Webster 6 (1 pen), Thomas 5, Abu 3, Hall 3 (3 pens), Silcott-Duberry 3, Tauriainen 3, Vale 3, Badley-Morgan 2, Tobin 2, Dyer 1, Gee 1, own goals 2

* Stats include Under-18 Premier League, FA Youth Cup and Under-18 Premier League Cup