It is no secret that Chelsea’s senior team are struggling right now. They are losing yards in the race to qualify for the Champions League, even though a top-five finish will be enough. And the FA Cup is their sole chance of finishing the campaign with silverware.
In terms of challenging for the Premier League, they have never really managed to do it since winning under Antonio Conte. There have been times when it felt like the Blues were contenders. The first few months of the second season under Frank Lampard. The early period of the 21/22 campaign with Thomas Tuchel, fresh off Champions League success. Even this season for a little while. But good starts have faded away and by the end, they have been left scrambling to make the Champions League qualifying spots.
Chelsea’s U21 side has had no such problems though. This season, they have successfully clinched the league phase of the Premier League 2.
They finished the league phase level on points with Manchester United. Both teams ended up losing on the final matchday. But Chelsea had a superior goal difference.
Chelsea’s senior players react as U21 side finish top of Premier League 2
Some senior players also reacted to Chelsea’s success. Trevoh Chalobah, who himself came through the club’s youth system, commented with the clapping emoji. On the other hand, Romeo Lavia left the fire emoji on Instagram.
Of course, the format might confuse fans who mostly keep up with the senior team. The overall Premier League 2 champions will end up getting decided through a play-off format.
Chelsea will be the top seed, having won the league phase of the competition. As a result of that, they will be at home against the 16th-placed side in the first round.
U21 team’s success shows Chelsea have talent at Cobham
During the BlueCo era, Chelsea have often gone out and signed youngsters from other teams. But the U21 team’s success shows that they have plenty of talent coming through Cobham.
Shim Mheuka has scored 17 goals in 17 Premier League 2 appearances this season. He has captained the team to their league phase triumph. The Blues need quality up front. He deserves a look-in next season, even if as a cover option.
Ryan Kavuma-McQueen is still 17 years old but already starting at U21 level. In the last four games of the Premier League 1 league phase, he scored four goals and provided an assist. That was vital in getting Chelsea over the finish line.
Jesse Derry has come in from Crystal Palace and made himself at home. He has even made a couple of appearances for the senior team lately in the FA Cup.
Those are just some of the talents that Chelsea have coming through at Cobham right now. It is up to the club to provide them with opportunities at the senior level. Chances should be based on merit, not on how much a youngster was signed from or which academy he came through.
