Chelsea U18

The Chelsea F.C. Academy is the academy of Chelsea Football Club, responsible for developing youth players from the under-9s age group and up. Since 2016, the academy has had Category One status following an independent audit conducted by the Premier League.

The most senior academy team is called Cobham Next Gen (CNG), previously named the Development Squad and Chelsea F.C. Under-21s. They play in the Premier League 2, the top level of reserve football in England, and were champions in the 2013–14 and 2019–20 seasons. The Cobham Next Gen team consists of under-19 and under-21 squads, although senior players occasionally feature, when recovering from injuries or otherwise not in the first team. As of 2026, the team is managed by Harry Hudson.

Chelsea F.C. U18s is the under-18 team of Chelsea Football Club, competing in the U18 Premier League. They have won the FA Youth Cup nine times, including five consecutive titles between 2014 and 2018. The academy has produced many successful players such as the brothers Ron and Allan Harris, Peter Bonetti, Bobby Tambling, Barry Bridges, Bert Murray, John Hollins, Peter Osgood, Ray Wilkins, Graeme Le Saux, Bobby Smith, Terry Venables, Jimmy Greaves, John Terry, Mason Mount, Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill and Conor Gallagher. Chelsea are the only English club to reach the final of the UEFA Youth League, winning it twice in four final appearances. As of 2026, the team is managed by Dan Hogan.

The Cobham Next Gen team play their home games at Kingsmeadow, while the under-18s play at the club's Cobham Training Centre in Cobham, Surrey. Both teams occasionally use the club's home ground Stamford Bridge for important matches.

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