Youth Watch
YOUTH WATCH: Two of the biggest U18 talents from Cobham who could feature for the Blues first team
We have certainly gotten used to the Chelsea youth academy producing gems one after the other recently
From Mason Mount to Reece James in the Blues first team right now, with highly promising talents on loan in the Premier League with names such as Conor Gallagher and Billy Gilmour to less mentioned Marc Guehi.
It is evident that the Chelsea youth model is on the correct path of producing great talents often, who can reach further heights with the Blues and have the club in their hearts, something outsiders often don’t.
#CFCU18 leading goal contributions (G+A) this season so far:
18 – Malik Mothersille 13+5
15 – Edwin Andersson 6+9
12 – Leo Castledine 5+7
9 – Ronnie Stutter 6+3
9 – Tudor Mendel-Idowu 4+5 pic.twitter.com/KZPYJxnK7p— Chelsea Youth (@chelseayouth) January 26, 2022
With the current international break going on, what could be a better time to focus on the youth academy!
So, we have identified two less often mentioned under-18 youngsters that are making a name for themselves at the Chelsea academy currently this season!
Edwin Andersson
The Swedish left winger has been one of the creative engines for the Blues under-18 squad this season, since joining Chelsea’s ranks in February of 2020.
The right footed forward, who joined from his childhood club of IFK Gothenburg, also signed his first professional contract with Chelsea in November of the same year he joined Chelsea.
The winger has stacked up a total of 15 Goals and Assists in all competitions this season, with 3 assists in 3 games in the UEFA Youth League, alongside 5 goals in the U18 PL in just 12 games played this season.
The youngster was also dubbed as the biggest young talent that has ever been produced by his boyhood club, IFK Gothenburg. The player has also been likened to a young Cristiano Ronaldo, however that may be a little too much praise.
His numbers suggest that he is directly contributing in every game he’s played in the Youth UCL and the U18 Premier League, indicating he is a lethal player in the final third who generates much needed creativity up front.
The player has also represented his national team at youth levels from under-15 till under-17, an impressive feat at youth level. Other than this, he was also picked up for the U-19 Sweden squad this international break.
While the 18 year old has not yet been picked for the Chelsea first team while players such as Lewis Hall made their debut earlier this season, we would not count this young gun out just yet.
Malik Mothersille
The young forward who can play left wing as well as center forward, has undoubtedly been the focal point of the under-18 squad under Ed Brand this season.
Mothersille first impressed when coming through the ranks of Leyton Orient’s youth academy, when he was wanted by many of England’s youth teams, however he ended opting for a move to West London at Cobham in the end.
La Cobham 🤌
Billy Gee ➡️ Malik Mothersille ➡️ @harvey_vale 🥶 pic.twitter.com/bw5fQS8jFT
— Nath 🎲🏁🌊 (@nathiitavares) January 13, 2022
The explosive English forward has amounted himself a total of 18 G/A for the u-18 squad this season has truly been in form and with a goal per minute ratio of almost 90 mins, the forward has a knack for scoring.
His finishing has certainly been on song this season so far, a pacey forward who likes the ball at his feet in the box, a goal-scoring forward. However, as in the video above, the forward possesses an eye for a pass too.
And while he is most certainly more comfortable on the left wing, his performances as a center forward have been decent as well, however a little adjusting may still be required.
What lies ahead for these young stars?
Well, as it always is with youth talents, you can never accurately predict their career trajectory.
But, as things are looking, these youngsters may either wound up on loan elsewhere next season to pick up much needed game time at a higher level, and later on wound up with a Chelsea cap.
For now, we can only hope that they keep this good work with the ambition of someday making their debuts with the Chelsea first team.
Club News
Chelsea tie down midfield youth Ben Elliot, Cobham youngsters train with the first team yet again
Chelsea have evidently been prioritizing their homegrown talent, particularly youngsters who’ve been excelling in midfield.
Chelsea are prioritizing their talented academy players
Chelsea’s track record with nurturing young talents has started paying off lately.
Talents such as Reece James, Mason Mount and Callum Hudson-Odoi becoming first team regulars and gaining prominence in the squad.
Tuchel has also proven himself with youth players. The German gives them deserved opportunities whenever the situation allows.
As is evident with the early FA Cup rounds and Carabao Cup fixtures, many youngsters have featured for the first team.
Highly touted youngster Lewis Hall also debuted for Chelsea in the 3rd round of the FA Cup. Xavier Simons is also another name that featured under Tuchel in the League Cup Quarter-Final against Brentford.
🚨Jude Soonsup-Bell & Charlie Webster are also in 1st team training. ✅ pic.twitter.com/1ZintuG6Jt
— Felix ⭐️⭐️ (@CFC_Felix_) February 17, 2022
Seen in yesterday’s training sessions were some young talents from Chelsea’s Under 23 team. The new signing from Derby County, Dylan Williams, Charlie Webster and also Jude Soonsup-Bell.
Dylan Williams is a highly prized left-back who made his name playing Wayne Rooney’s Derby in the Championship. Chelsea spotted his talent and signed the youngster in the winter window.
Dylan Williams training with the 1st team? 🤯pic.twitter.com/rgTKpLQkBI
— Felix ⭐️⭐️ (@CFC_Felix_) February 17, 2022
Jude Soonsup-Bell has been at Chelsea’s academy since his U-13 days, while Webster has been at the club since U-10s.
Whilst these youngster will most likely not feature for Chelsea against Crystal Palace, even training with the big boys helps gain experience.
Tuchel knows what he’s doing with these talented youngsters.
Ben Elliot signs a new contract extension with Chelsea
Chelsea’s official website has confirmed that Ben Elliot has signed a contract extension to stay at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues’ management has recently been struggling to get players to put pen to paper when it comes to contract renewals. First team players like Rudiger, Christensen and Azpilicueta are all looking set to depart in the summer.
Congrats to Ben Elliott, who signed his first pro deal upon turning 17 last week. A terrific midfielder who is hopefully over some long-term injury concerns. pic.twitter.com/AO2tNWRKHx
— Chelsea Youth (@chelseayouth) November 13, 2019
However, finally some good news has come in that department. Chelsea’s youth have lately been opting to either leave permanently, or on loan to get first team action.
Nevertheless, Ben Elliot, one of the highly touted midfield talents Chelsea’s academy has produced will be staying at the club. The deal runs through till 2024, with his current deal expiring in the summer.
There were doubts over his continuation at the club a while ago, but all parties involved wanted this deal to get over the line.
With his contract extension now done and dusted, it is possible the midfielder will end up on a loan move elsewhere to get regular minutes. Regular first team action at his age is necessary.
To catch more about Chelsea’s youth, check out our Youth Watch section.
Loan Watch
Blues loanee Armando Broja is TEARING through defenses at Southampton with his stunning form
The Albanian national is sending waves back to Stamford Bridge with his goal scoring form recently
The 20 year old has been earning himself a name with his form this season as he has been making people take note of his performances, both at his parent club Chelsea and current club Southampton, where he is on loan.
The striker, who despite not being a starting option for Saints manager Ralph Hasenhüttl, who prefers a duo of Che Adams and Adam Armstrong up front, has constantly delivered the goods when given the chance.
Armando Broja Has Been INSANE for Southampton 🇦🇱 pic.twitter.com/IfiIXcHoVE
— 〽️ (@T4RIQSTPATRICK) January 17, 2022
He has scored 7 goals and an assist in 21 appearances in all competitions this season, while playing irregularly throughout.
The striker has also earned himself a lot of praise for his performances and earned himself comparisons to the likes of Diego Costa by the Chelsea dearest for his playing style in front of goal, lethality in the box.
Peter Crouch: "Armando Broja, on loan from Chelsea, is obviously a handful, a brutish striker who can make defenders think. These are the sort of guys needed if you are taking anything off City."
— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) January 24, 2022
The striker before his move to Southampton had only 1 Premier League appearance, however since breaking out this season the striker has managed to become the club’s top scorer for the season.
And thanks to his performances this season, even the Saints faithful have found a liking for the Albanian striker who has scored vital goals when his team needed him the most.
The forward was also on loan to Dutch club Vitesse last season, where he managed to score 11 goals in a total of 34 appearances at the young age of only 19 years.
While his numbers this season in the Premier League may not look so astounding, we must remember that Chelsea’s star signing Romelu Lukaku only has 8 goals in 24 games this season.
Hi performance against Brighton last year was one of the Albanian’s best showings all season, where he ran over the Brighton defense several times in the game and scored a stunning goal which ended up winning his side a point.
West Ham are lining up talks with Chelsea over the possible transfer of Armando Broja as they look to beat Southampton to a late-window deal [Football Insider] pic.twitter.com/wTiuFVOQrb
— West Ham Transfers (@westhamtransfer) January 24, 2022
With Armando Broja’s form this season, Chelsea fans are starting to question Romelu Lukaku’s signing, who has struggled all season with an interview controversy to boot.
Blues supporters erupted when news of him joining West Ham next season broke out, indicating they want Tuchel to groom him into a Chelsea striker for the future and take the mantle from Lukaku.
The Albanian was also putting on a show against Manchester City this past weekend in the league, a game in which the Saints managed to stall league toppers to only a point.
Armando Broja's ice-cool finish during Southampton's 1-1 draw with Manchester City may have been ruled out, but it should have given Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel plenty of food for thought in the wake of Romelu Lukaku's ongoing struggles at Stamford Bridge. pic.twitter.com/7T1Rxx0rCg
— Frank Khalid (@FrankKhalidUK) January 23, 2022
His current manager, Ralph had this to say about his development:
“The young players need time. We need to let them make mistakes and learn from these.”
“This ability he has and behaviour he shows is important because we are a hard-working club and if you want to perform here, you have to work hard for this team. This is what he’s had to learn since he’s here and it helps his development.”
And despite making a name for himself this season, the player is still very much a team man.
After his performances against Brighton, he was more disappointed with the team result than he was delighted with his performance, “I feel like we deserved to take three points, I thought we dominated the game but it’s a punch in the stomach to concede like that in the last minute.
“It’s a big disappointment how the game ended. We can take positives from the game but should’ve had three points. We’ll take the point and keep moving forward.”