Not long after Chelsea’s first team got their season underway against Crystal Palace, it was the turn of the youngsters to get their Premier League 2 campaign up and running.
There was a feeling of mass frustration around Stamford Bridge as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Crystal Palace in an underwhelming start to the campaign.
The same was not the case for the youngsters, who were handed a very difficult opening fixture against Manchester City, however they came out of the tricky test with flying colours.
The Blues won 3-1, and a strong side saw the debut of new signing Jesse Derry, as well as a return from long-term injury for Dujuan Richards.
Shumaira Mheuka celebrates during Chelsea U21 v Manchester City U21 - Premier League 2
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
Shumaira Mheuka scores hat-trick as Chelsea U21s beat Manchester City
The star of the show though was Shumaira Mheuka, scoring a hat-trick to lead his side to victory.
Hat-trick Mheuka on the break. He has been unplayable and, if Chelsea are struggling for goals this season, they might want to look inward at some point. Top performance against the PL2 champions Man City.
3-1 to Chelsea with 4 minutes of normal time left.
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) August 18, 2025
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The young striker was involved during the 2024/25 season for the first team squad, appearing in the Conference League amid their injury crisis in the striker role.
Romeo Lavia picked out Mheuka as the next Cobham star to make it for the first team, and with the departure of Donnell McNeilly is expected to have a breakout campaign in terms of his numbers for the U21s.
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With Nicolas Jackson expected to depart, it looks as if Enzo Maresca is going to go into the new season with just two first team options up front, leaving the door open for Mheuka to feature if injuries impact either Liam Delap or Joao Pedro.
John Terry watches on during Chelsea U21 v Manchester City U21 - Premier League 2
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John Terry in attendance as Chelsea youngsters shine bright
There will have been some added pressure on those featuring for the young Blues when it emerged that one of the club’s best ever players was in attendance.
Journalist Nizaar Kinsella stated that John Terry was one of those in attendance for the massive Premier League 2 fixture, and he will have loved what he saw from Mheuka up front.
The club legend has maintained a regular involvement with the academy at the club, looking to help pave the way for youngsters in a similar way to how he made it to the first team.
Mheuka has made his mark to start the season, and Maresca will no doubt be keeping tabs after utilising him multiple times last season.