The Chelsea Under-18s return to action after the international break in our final group-stage fixture of the Premier League Cup against Blackburn Rovers. The Blues have started the season positively, currently sitting top of Group E, needing only a draw against Blackburn to seal our place in the next round.

You can watch the crucial game live on the Official Chelsea App, complete with enhanced stats and event tracking from MVX, built with Infinite Athlete

It has been a promising opening in the Under-18 Premier League, too, where we lie in sixth place, six points off the top of the table, with two games in hand. This start can be attributed to the ambition of the squad, according to Hassan Sulaiman.

'First and foremost, the boys have expectations of themselves, and they want to win everything,' he said. 'If you ask any of the players, they want to win as many competitions and games as possible.

'Playing for the Chelsea Academy, having talent is not enough. I believe that you need to have a motivation and a drive to want to win and I am happy that my players have that.'

For Sulaiman and his coaching team, winning is more than a result — it is ingrained in the club's culture.

'Winning at Chelsea, we deem it as part of their development. We do not say win at all costs, but we deem it a part of our culture, and we want to maintain our standing as a leading Academy and demonstrate winning behaviours.'

'In tough moments, our players grow. It is not just about skills, it is about getting mentally strong. High-pressure situations shape them into better players, teaching them to handle challenges.

'Winning is not just on the field, it is about building a mindset that goes beyond football. We are developing players who can handle the game's demands and boost the team.'

Another competition Sulaiman and the team will have their eyes on is the FA Youth Cup, after the draw for the third round paired us with Leicester City in our first match. The last time Chelsea were victorious in the competition was in the 2017/18 season.

'We are really looking forward to the FA Youth Cup, and the excitement is shared among me and the players. Drawing Leicester away adds an extra edge to the anticipation.

'This will be my first time leading the side in this competition and we are all eager for the challenge. The Youth Cup means a lot to us and we're aiming to make this run a memorable one.'

However, there are still important games to come before then, with Sulaiman's first priority remaining our next fixture and securing the point we need against Blackburn to reach the last 16 of the Premier League Cup.

'We are gearing up for our next challenge against Blackburn on Saturday morning. The atmosphere in the team is positive after our wins against Barnsley and Tottenham. The boys are focused and ready for the match, aiming to maintain the momentum and secure our passage to the next stage of the competition.'

How to watch live

The match will be available to watch live exclusively on the Official Chelsea App for £1.99, complete with enhanced stats and event tracking from MVX, built with Infinite Athlete.