U18 coach Hassan Suleiman will continue to take charge of the coaching staff, and his performance in the 2024-25 season is impressive. The new assistant coach Callum McFarlane joins from Southampton and will inject new ideas and valuable experience into the team. Many of this group of new students have long been familiar faces at Cobham's training base. Some of them have represented U18 last season, and some even won the first-team debut in the European Union.
Signing a scholarship agreement is an important milestone for young players to their career path. When they turn 17, they will have the opportunity to sign their first professional contract. The following is the profile of the students who have newly joined the U18 echelon:
Chris Atherton
The winger joined from Grenavin, Northern Ireland, became the youngest professional league player in British history at the age of 13. Last season, he won many opportunities in the first team at Grenavin and played for the Northern Ireland U17. The goalkeeper who joined Sunderland in the U15 season helped the Blues win the U15 Premier League Lighting Cup and the National Finals with outstanding leadership. He completed his U18 debut last season.
Jeremiah Berkeley Ajpon
The breakthrough winger who joined Chelsea at the age of 8. He is known for his speed and single-handed ability. He is a hero of the U15 Premier League Lighting Cup. A sharp offense has been shown during the preseason.
Freddy Bernal
The calm goalkeeper who played for the Blues since the age of 8, completed the U17/U18 two-level jump last season and was frequently selected for the English youth team training.
Calvin Diakit
11-year-old commander-type defender, formerly captain of the U16 team. Last season, he firmly sat in the U18 main force, with both defensive wisdom and physical confrontation.
Chizalam Ezevata
The efficient scorer joined by Charlton, won the Golden Boot of the U18 team last season and completed its U21 debut, and continued to be called by the English youth team.
Jacob Hall
The intelligent central defender who joined the team at the age of 9 is good at predicting and confronting. The U16 season skipped to U18 to hone.
Charlie-Netherlands started his Blues career at the age of 8. He made his U18 debut as a member of the U16 leader group last season and continued to represent England.
Ryan Kavuma McQueen
8 years old, a core member of the U15 Lighting Cup championship. Last season, they scored against Manchester United and Ipswich at U21.
Ibrahim Rabaj
A creative midfielder joined from Crystal Palace and is known for his spiritual playing style. Last season, he was the core of U16 and represented Morocco to the U17 African Cup.
Levi Richards
8-year-old all-rounder who can be competent for midfield and central defender. Last season, he became a permanent U18 team and is famous for his tough football style.
Joel Filbert
Breakthrough winger joined from West Ham United, won the first U18 goal against Brighton last season and was selected for the England youth team.
Dante Waite, a stable defender who joined through the Youth Training Center at the age of 8, led the team to the U15 Lighting Cup as the captain, and firmly ranked as the main player of U18 last season.
Reggie Walsh
8-year-old all-around midfielder in the team. After completing his U21 debut last season, he also made his first-team debut against Jurgarden in the European Union, and continued to win the favor of the English youth team.
source:7 livescore