https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2020/07/02/
introducing-the-2020-21-academy-scholars
Introducing the 2020/21 Academy scholars
02 Jul 2020
With the 2020/21 season approaching, it's almost time for a new intake of
Chelsea Academy scholars to begin preparations for the forthcoming
campaign.
Ed Brand will remain in charge of our Under-18s this coming season and
will hope to pick up where he left of with his team last campaign. The
youth team reached the semi-final of the FA Youth Cup and were third in
the Under-18 Premier League South table with a game in hand over Fulham
and West Ham in first and second place respectively, before the
curtailment of the Academy season.
All players in their Under-17 year are required to start the season on a
scholarship agreement, before they are permitted to sign a first
professional football contract on or after their 17th birthday. The intake
includes four players who featured for last season's youth team, including
midfielders Harvey Vale and Charlie Webster, who made 13 appearances
between them.
After the players put pen to paper in a socially-distanced signing session
at Cobham this week - minus the two arrivals from abroad who signed their
paperwork remotely - we spoke to assistant head of youth development Jim
Fraser for the lowdown on the 14 new scholars...
Jude Soonsup-Bell
Jude joined Chelsea as an Under-13 after he left Swindon Town's Academy.
Upon joining Chelsea, he played in a midfield role but it wasn't too long
before he was playing as a forward, the position in which he made his bow
for the Under-18s last season. An adaptable player, Jude has been selected
for England at Under-16 level and has been part of our full-time school
programme at Cobham.
Derrick Abu
Derrick is an attacking full-back who first signed as an Under-11 from
local grassroots football. A hard-working and dedicated player who
thoroughly enjoys his football, his energy on and off the pitch is
infectious throughout the group. He has also been part of the full-time
school programme at the Academy.
Kelechi Chibueze
Kelechi is a goalkeeper who has been part of the club since the
Under-8 age group. A talented goalkeeper who has a younger brother in the
Academy programme, he is quick and agile between the sticks and takes
pride in his communication skills, often being the loudest on the pitch.
Alfie Gilchrist
Alfie is a right-footed central defender who we signed as an Under-11 from
Queens Park Rangers. From a family of big Chelsea fans, he can play in a
back three or back four and is very competitive with an excellent winning
mentality.
Josh Tobin
Josh is a central midfielder signed from local grassroots football as an
Under-13. A tough-tackling, defensive-minded player, he possesses great
desire, competitiveness and leadership qualities which always serve good
purpose to his team.
Harvey Vale
Harvey is a versatile player who signed for the Academy from Fulham as an
Under-13. A talented player who is part of the full-time school programme,
he has played in a number of midfield positions as well as being able to
play higher up the pitch in attacking roles. An England Under-17
international, he played predominantly for the Under-16s at club level
last season and recorded well over 20 goals. A string of impressive
performances meant Harvey featured nine times for the youth team and
scored one goal in 2019/20.
Prince Adegoke
Prince is a goalkeeper signed locally as an Under-13. A very tall and big
presence on the pitch, he featured on the bench in the FA Youth Cup last
season and has been involved with the Under-18s on a number of occasions.
Prince has been part of the full-time school programme at the Academy.
Silko Thomas
Silko is a local boy who first signed for the Academy as an Under-10. An
attacking player who is comfortable on either wing as well as through the
middle, he is exciting to watch, possessing good speed and agility to
create goals.
Alex Kpakpe
Alex is a defender who joined us as an Under-14 from local grassroots
football. A strong, powerful and very quick defensive-minded player, he is
equally comfortable in the middle or as a left-back.
Luke Badley-Morgan
Luke is a left-sided central defender who enjoys carrying the ball out
from the back. A strong defender who is able to play at left-back, he has
had England recognition at Under-16 level and was part of our full-time
school programme after joining the Academy from grassroots football as an
Under-13. Luke made two appearances for the youth team last season, both
in the Premier League Cup.
Charlie Webster
Charlie, originally from Andover in Hampshire, joined the Academy as an
Under-10 and is a talented, adaptable midfielder. Part of the full-time
school programme, he has represented England at Under-16 level. His
ability to play the role of both a deep and attacking midfielder saw
Charlie appear four times for the youth team last season.
Edwin Andersson
Edwin joins from IFK Gothenberg in his native Sweden. A right-footed
left-winger who can be either very tricky or direct on the ball, he
creates many assists but also enjoys scoring goals. He is another exciting
attacking player and has represented Sweden up to Under-17 level.
Malik Mothersille
Malik was signed from Leyton Orient in his Under-16 year. With strong
athletic qualities, he is comfortable anywhere across the front three
positions and has an eye for goal.
Jimi Tauriainen
Jimi is a Finnish international at Under-16 level and signs from Helsingin
Jalkapalloklubi in his homeland. A left-footed attacking player who
prefers playing on the right, he will join up with the youth team this
summer subject to international clearance.