Brodi Hughes reflects on his footballing journey since joining Chelsea's development centre at just eight years old, revealing how his experiences with the Blues have shaped him as a player and a person.
For Hughes, wearing Blue is about more than just the colour of his shirt - it is an identity. Having been at the club for over a decade, he understands the values that come with being a Chelsea player.
From rising through the age groups to taking part in tours and tournaments, Hughes quickly learned what it takes to be a footballer at Cobham. But how did it feel when it all began?
'It was a huge moment for me and my family,' the defender said. 'My family supports Chelsea, so it was a proud moment for everyone.
'I’ve been at Chelsea for the majority of my life. I’ve been with some of the players here since I was eight years old, so we’ve built strong relationships. It’s nice to continue our journey together and progress through the age groups.
'When I was younger, there were so many Chelsea players to look up to. My biggest inspiration was John Terry, who was the Chelsea captain at the time. There was no one better to look up to. Having someone like that at the club helps you keep pushing and striving to achieve your goals.
'Along the way, there will be bumps and tough moments, but knowing where you want to end up keeps you motivated.'
The Chelsea Academy is renowned for producing young talent and winning silverware. That helped Hughes develop a competitive edge at an early age, which has stayed with him all the way to his current role in the Under-21s squad.
The 20-year-old reflected: 'Being here since the start, I have so many memories I will always look back on. One of my favourite moments will always be lifting trophies and winning competitions. Everyone knows how successful the Academy is.
'I remember lifting the trophy at the Kevin De Bruyne Cup at Under-15s level. Winning trophies at a young age sets high standards and these expectations stay with you as you grow.'
The defender also highlights the success of Chelsea Academy graduates who have broken into the Premier League or Championship, offering a glimpse of the future he hopes to achieve. However, there is one former team-mate in particular who Hughes admires and hopes to follow in the footsteps of by becoming a top-flight player.
'Seeing players who’ve followed the same path and now play regularly in the top leagues shows me where I want to be. It’s inspiring and motivates me to work harder.
'Lewis [Hall] and I were close in the Academy and it was a great experience playing alongside him. He’s doing great now and is already a top player with a lot of potential. Being at a big club like Newcastle and getting call-ups to play for England is great to see for him.
'It makes me want to follow his path and reach the highest level I can. Hopefully, I’ll soon experience men’s games, gaining even more experience to develop my play.'
Hughes has enjoyed an impressive 2024/25 season so far, making 14 appearances across all Under-21s competitions under our Portuguese head coach Filipe Coelho. He has flourished on the pitch, with his connection to his team-mates becoming increasingly evident.
'This season I’ve been fortunate to be a regular for Filipe, which I’ve loved. I feel like I’m really showing what I’m capable of. He’s given me the freedom and trust to play my game. I enjoy playing not just as a defender, but also attacking down the wing to support my team-mates.
'Richard [Olise] and I have been at the Academy for a long time and grew up together. We’ve built a great connection down the right side. Playing one-twos and linking up with him helps us combine effectively. It’s great to play with someone like him because we know how each other plays.
'It’s important to have connections with the team off the pitch as well as on it. Being together with these boys since the start helps us understand how each other plays and who we are as people. Good communication off the pitch translates to a tighter bond on the pitch, which naturally improves our play.'
So far this campaign, Hughes has picked up three assists and two goals across different competitions. His first goal came in Chelsea’s 4-1 win over Bournemouth in the Premier League Cup, while his second was a crucial winner against Arsenal in a Premier League 2 London derby. That goal was nominated for Chelsea's November Goal of the Month.
'If someone were to describe my style of play, I’d say I’m a solid defender who also has the ability to get forward and make creative attacking movements. That’s what makes me difficult to defend against, especially for teams that stick to tight formations.
'Honestly, I wasn’t expecting it! Richard and I linked up, he played it down the wing and I saw the keeper slightly off his line. I went to cross it and suddenly it was in the back of the net! It was such a great moment to score the winner in a big London derby. Everyone ran over to celebrate and it was a fantastic feeling to get us the three points, especially in front of our home fans at Kingsmeadow.
'I enjoy those kinds of opponents because it’s a challenge to find space. But when you do, it can be game-changing. It’s important to always be looking for open spaces and thinking about how to receive the ball and drive up the pitch.'
Looking ahead, Hughes and the Under-21s are gearing up for our next Premier League 2 fixture against Newcastle United on Monday 16 December. Both teams currently sit on 16 points in the league standings, the Blues ahead in the table thanks to our superior goal difference, and Chelsea go into the match off the back of a dominant 6-2 victory against Derby County.
Hughes concluded: 'Newcastle is next and we hope to continue our winning momentum. Training has gone well and we know what we need to do. Filipe is very clear with his expectations and we’re confident we can deliver, as we have done.
'Long journeys aren’t always the best, but we want to make the trip worth it and come back with a win. I want a strong performance and my aim is for my man not to get the better of me. I want to make sure I am direct in supporting our attackers while getting behind and being the strong defender I can be.'