Chelsea Under-21s begin the new year with a London derby as Crystal Palace visit Cobham on Saturday and Genesis Antwi says the squad is focused on making a strong return to Premier League 2 action.
The Blues resume league duties for the first time since November and an impressive 4-1 home victory over Reading. Shumaira Mheuka scored twice in that fixture, while Jesse Derry and Harrison Murray-Campbell were also on the score sheet to make it six wins from our opening nine Premier League 2 matches.
Our young Blues return to domestic action after frustratingly missing out on points against Benfica in the Premier League International Cup earlier this week. That set-back has only sharpened the group’s determination, with a London derby providing the perfect opportunity to respond.
Antwi has been a regular presence at right-back this season, making eight Premier League 2 appearances, and spoke to us after training as he prepares to return to action following the Christmas break.
‘I’m feeling confident,’ the 18-year-old said. ‘It should be a really exciting game. We’ve got the whole squad back now and that’s a massive boost for everyone going into the match.'
The festive period may have brought a brief pause in fixtures, but Antwi insists there was little time to switch off, as focus quickly turned to the demands of a busy schedule.
‘You might get a short break, but you never really stop,’ he explained. ‘You come straight back into a heavy run of games with two fixtures a week, so there’s no time to ease yourself back in.
‘Even when we’re away from matches, we’re still training or doing individual work. We’ve experienced this schedule before and we know what it takes. Now it’s about pushing on and making sure the second half of the season is a strong one.’
That focus has underpinned a campaign which has already produced several standout performances, including a 5-0 away win against Newcastle United and a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Arsenal. Antwi believes togetherness and mentality will again be crucial against Palace.
‘People might look at the fixture and think it’s an easy game, but it won’t be,’ he said. ‘They’re in a similar position to us and we’re expecting a tough test. We have to prepare properly and approach it in the right way.
‘Mindset is massive in football. The mental side of the game is just as important as the physical side. This group is really tight and we don’t just fight for ourselves, we fight for each other.
‘We treat every game like a final. Knowing there’s something to fight for raises the intensity and pushes everyone to another level.’
Antwi’s outlook has also been shaped by valuable experience at senior level. The defender made his men’s debut last season against Copenhagen in the UEFA Conference League and also featured against Djurgarden in that competition. He has since had opportunities this season to be involved in men's team training sessions.
‘Being part of a men’s squad teaches you a lot,’ he reflected. ‘You understand the demands and the standards required, and it gives you a clear idea of the levels you want to reach.
‘At the same time, it’s down to us as players. We’re the ones out there on the pitch and we have to take responsibility and show the right mentality every time we play.’
Now one of the senior figures in a youthful Under-21s squad, which has seen first-year scholars step up and even schoolboys make appearances, Antwi has fully embraced his role as a leader both on and off the pitch.
‘I feel like I’ve developed a stronger sense of leadership this season and that’s really important,’ he said. ‘My message to the group is simple. I believe in this team, but belief alone isn’t enough. We have to go out there and do the job.
‘If we show the right mentality and don’t treat any game as easy, I’m confident we can get the result. I’ve also been able to grow with the support I’ve had across the Academy - from the staff, other players and even the supporters - all of whom have given me opportunities to develop.
‘For the supporters, hopefully we can put in a performance that shows what this group is about and inspires the next generation coming through.’
Support the Blues
Supporters worldwide can watch Chelsea Under-21s take on Crystal Palace in Premier League 2 on Saturday 10 January, with kick-off at 1pm at Cobham. The match will be streamed live and free of charge on the Chelsea Official App and website, via our Chelsea Under-21s vs Crystal Palace Match Centre or by going to the homepage shortly before kick-off.