Donnell McNeilly and his Chelsea Under-21s team-mates are aiming to maintain top spot in our Premier League Cup group as we host Bournemouth at Kingsmeadow on Saturday afternoon.
The Blues hope to bounce back from a difficult Premier League 2 outing against Newcastle United earlier in the week, when we fell to a 3-2 defeat despite late goals from Ato Ampah and McNeilly. After a long trip home from the North-East, preparations have been in full swing at Cobham as we focus on familiar opponents, Bournemouth.
Chelsea began our Premier League Cup campaign in impressive form, opening with a commanding 6-3 victory over Brentford. That was followed by a solid 4-1 win against Bournemouth in October, on their home turf at Wimborne Town, where Harvey Vale, Brodi Hughes and Deivid Washington found the net.
However, that momentum was halted in our third match, a narrow 4-3 defeat to Derby County, leaving the Blues eager to rekindle our earlier form in the second half of the group stage, starting on home soil on Saturday.
'I'm really excited for this weekend's fixture,' said McNeilly. 'Overall we’ve been playing well as a team and I feel like we’ve gelled and had some big wins. Knowing this will be our last game of the year, we’re determined to go out and do the same.
'We faced Bournemouth before and secured the three points with a dominant performance. That victory gives us confidence going into this game, but we can’t afford to approach it any differently. Bournemouth are a strong side and it will take our best performance to beat them again.
'The Premier League Cup has given us a valuable opportunity to face different challenges. It’s been amazing because the competition is tough and we play against some clubs we don’t normally face in the league. Competing in these tournaments alongside the league is great preparation for men’s football.'
This will be the Under-21s' second game in six days, following Monday's Premier League 2 match. Filipe Coelho's squad, now preparing for their 20th game of the season across four competitions, has been focused on maintaining a balance between recovery and performance during this demanding period.
'After matches, we prioritise recovery, whether it’s stretching in the physio room or relaxing at home. Playing so many games also gives other players a chance to get minutes on the pitch. The quick turnover of matches allows us to apply lessons from each performance. I’m always striving to improve with the help of the staff and facilities at Chelsea, which are incredible.'
Academy forward McNeilly has made 15 appearances for our Under-21s this season, scoring a total of six goals - five in Premier League 2 matches and one in the EFL Trophy group stage against Bromley's senior team.
'This season has been really good for me,' he added. 'I’ve adapted to different roles, which has made me more versatile, a skill I know will be crucial when I move into men's football. I love getting on the ball and creating chances, but there’s still a lot I want to improve.'
During the 2023/24 season, McNeilly was a regular in Hassan Sulaiman's Under-18s team. This season marks his first full campaign with the Under-21s, where he is working under Portuguese coach Coelho after stepping up.
'He’s a fantastic coach who knows exactly what he wants and brings out the best in us. Training under him feels similar to the experience I’ve had with the men’s team and his approach reflects what I imagine first-team football to be like. The lessons I’ve learned from him, on and off the pitch, will definitely help me in the next stages of my career.'
Looking ahead to the Bournemouth clash, McNeilly is eager to return to Chelsea Under-21s' home ground, Kingsmeadow, where our most recent performance in front of our own fans was a successful 2-1 victory against Real Sociedad in the Premier League International Cup.
'Playing at Kingsmeadow regularly this season has been a new experience, but the support we’ve received has been incredible. The atmosphere pushes us to perform and is great preparation for stepping into senior games. Kingsmeadow is an amazing ground and a brilliant stepping stone for what’s ahead.
'We're ready to go out and get the job done in front of our supporters, and I’m sure there will be celebrations at the final whistle.'
Support the Blues
There is still time to secure your seat for Chelsea Under-21s' fixture against Bournemouth in the Premier League Cup, kicking off at midday on Saturday. All Chelsea season ticket holders, members and under-20s can claim their free ticket here until midday on Friday, after which general admission tickets will still be available priced at £4.