In terms of academy football in England, Chelsea and Manchester City have been two of the powerhouses in the last decade.
Chelsea have produced so many exceptional young talents in the 21st century. Even though many don’t make it at Stamford Bridge, the Blues academy has developed its fair share of players for the first team.
It is important that co-owner Todd Boehly is still a major supporter of Chelsea’s academy because the production line of talent isn’t stopping. Last season, Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George both stepped up from the Under-21s to become regulars in the senior group.
Acheampong, who’s shone for England’s Under-21s side during this international break, could be a centre-back heading straight for the top.
Chelsea U18 competing against Manchester City U18 in the FA Youth Cup final.
Photo by Clive Howes – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
The 2020 FA Youth Cup final
If you rewind to the 2020 FA Youth Cup final, Manchester City’s Under-18s beat Chelsea’s Under-18s in an epic 3-2 win that included so many future stars.
The Man City team included current Chelsea players Liam Delap and Cole Palmer, along with current Premier League stars Morgan Rogers and James McAtee. In fact, Palmer scored the winning goal in the 83rd minute at St George’s Park to win the trophy for the Manchester club.
As for Chelsea, current Blues star Levi Colwill was at centre-back, along with Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento.
Manchester City: Cieran Slicker, CJ Egan-Riley, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Luke Mbete-Tabu, Alpha Dionkou, Joe Hodge, Cole Palmer, Tommy Doyle, Liam Delap, James McAtee, Morgan Rogers
Chelsea: Lucas Bergstrom, Tino Livramento, Henry Lawrence, Dynel Simeu, Levi Colwill, Lewis Bate, Myles Peart-Harris, Ben Elliott, Bryan Fiabema, Marcel Lewis, Dion Rankine
Chelsea U18 starting XI to face Manchester City U18 in the FA Youth Cup final.
Photo by Clive Howes – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
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Cole Palmer the one who got away for Manchester City
Man City’s work in the transfer market is usually well measured and successful, but they had an absolute howler with Palmer’s sale. With hindsight, the decision to sell Palmer to Chelsea in 2023 for £40m (Sky Sports) was horrific.
The 23-year-old attacking midfielder flirted with the first team at the Etihad Stadium after tearing it up in academy football. However, he left Pep Guardiola’s side to play regular senior football at Stamford Bridge, where he’s been outstanding for a couple of years.
Appearances Goals Assists Trophies
101 45 29 2
Cole Palmer’s record for Chelsea
Phil Foden has been a superstar in Man City’s team since graduating from their academy, and history could have repeated itself if they had convinced Palmer to stick around.
Fortunately, Chelsea have benefited instead. Earlier this week, Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka hailed Palmer as “amazing” because he’s improved so much since leaving Man City as a youngster.