August 19 – Chelsea have rebranded their leading academy teams as Cobham Next Gen, dropping the club’s name from the identity of their under-21 and under-19 sides ahead of the new season.
The teams will compete under the shortened CNG name in Premier League 2, with Chelsea arguing that the change better reflects the age profile and purpose of the group rather than the traditional under-21 label.
The name is taken from the club’s training base in Cobham, Surrey, where Chelsea’s academy has produced a long line of first-team and international players.
Chelsea said: “The new name more accurately reflects the age profile of our leading Academy side and Chelsea’s long-standing heritage of developing the next generation of players for the senior game.
“While the squad competed in Premier League 2 as an Under-21s side, its average age last season was closer to that of an Under-18s group, with several players as young as 16 years old featuring regularly.
“Cobham Next Gen also better fits the role of the squad within the Academy.
“It recognises a group of young players with momentum, taking the next step in their development – the final one in the pathway to senior football – competing at a higher level as they continue their journey through Cobham towards the men’s team.”
The branding change has been criticised by supporters, largely centred on the decision to remove the Chelsea name from teams representing the club in competitive football.
Chelsea’s under-21s finished top of the regular-season Premier League 2 table last season before losing to Tottenham in the play-off quarter-finals.
Winger Jesse Derry made the step into the senior side, making his Premier League debut against Nottingham Forest in May before being forced off with a serious head injury.
Reece James and Levi Colwill are the two academy graduates established in the current first-team squad, whilst its most valuable export, Declan Rice, plays for London rivals Arsenal.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at harry.ewing@insideworldfootball.com