Filipe Coelho has been pleased with his Under-21s side's recent performances, particularly our convincing 6-2 Premier League 2 victory over Derby County last time out, which he believed showed a determined and powerful team.
Last week was a successful one for the Blues and our Portuguese head coach, securing two victories in the space of four days. The Under-21s began with a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad in the Premier League International Cup, followed by a commanding 6-2 triumph away at Derby on Friday evening.
After a disappointing result against the same opponents in October, when we narrowly lost 4-3 in the Premier League Cup, Coelho's side knew history could not repeat itself. With that result in mind, we were motivated to deliver a different outcome - and we did.
Although Derby opened the scoring early, Kaiden Wilson equalised with his first goal of the 2024/25 campaign and Deivid Washington netted a brace to give Chelsea a 3-1 lead at half-time.
Derby pulled one back early in the second half, but it wasn’t enough. Kiano Dyer scored his first of the season to extend the lead, Donnell McNeilly added another and substitute Jimmy-Jay Morgan completed the victory with a sixth goal late on.
'Overall, I was pleased with the result and it was a good performance,' reflected Coelho. 'After our last trip to the ground and the disappointing result, we were determined to make sure things were different this time. That was likely in the players' minds, pushing them even further.
'Since it was a night game, we travelled up early and trained at Mansfield Town to keep our movement sharp and ensure we were ready. Our tactics were slightly different. We focused on being more direct and using long-balls throughout the match, which worked well. I wanted to see a team attack directly, applying pressure on Derby's backline. The boys listened well and were rewarded.'
Since taking charge of Chelsea Under-21s, Coelho has emphasised the importance of a strong mentality and character both on and off the pitch. That allowed us to maintain our advantage, securing three valuable points and moving into fifth position in the Premier League 2 table with 16 points, just three behind Liverpool above us.
'Although we went behind early, I thought we reacted well and continued to fight. I saw determination in the team and that’s what I want to see every week. At half-time, we were in the same position as our last match against Derby, but this time we were determined not to let history repeat itself. It was great to be ahead, with goals that rewarded our strong performance, but we knew we couldn’t afford to let our guard down.
'There were challenging moments, particularly when they scored early, but that only fuelled our desire to push harder and maintain the lead we deserved. At half-time, I encouraged the players to keep the momentum going, reminding them of what Derby would be discussing in their changing room. We knew they would plan a fightback, just as they did last time. That motivated us further and helped us solidify the win.
'I was pleased with how aggressive and focused we remained in the second half, especially towards the end when we added three more goals. The players understood what was needed to secure the win and their energy and determination was outstanding. This performance will give us confidence moving forward, whether in cup competitions or Premier League 2 fixtures.
'There were many aspects of this match that made me proud. Despite being unfamiliar with the pitch and environment, the players adapted well. They showed that regardless of the competition or fixture, they approach it with the same drive and commitment to win.'
The Under-21s will next travel to Newcastle United on Monday 16 December to continue our Premier League 2 campaign. The Magpies have the same number of points as Chelsea, with five wins, three losses and one draw. However, Chelsea holds the advantage on goal difference.
Coelho concluded: 'We now have a slight pause, which is beneficial. We will continue training as usual and have a friendly to keep the players in the right mindset. This break will help us stay fresh and ready to put in another strong performance.
'During this break, we’ll ensure that players who haven’t had as much match time are ready because anything can happen. Newcastle will be another long journey, but we know exactly what needs to be done to keep our winning streak alive. Being in fifth place, our main focus is on climbing the league table.
'I want to see a passionate team full of energy when we face Newcastle. I want the boys to continue their form and use earlier disappointments as fuel for success. With this mindset, I’m confident we’ll achieve the results we deserve.'