Chelsea
became the first team to win back-to-back UEFA Youth League titles on
Monday, beating Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 in the final in Nyon.
It's the latest in a long line of trophies for the Blues' academy, and they
have the chance to add another later this month when they face Man City in
their fifth consecutive FA Youth Cup final.
The UEFA Youth League - an U19 tournament played parallel to the Champions
League - has featured the likes of Munir El Haddadi of Barcelona, Serge
Gnabry of Arsenal and Chelsea's own Dominic Solanke in recent seasons.
But their most famous recent graduate is Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The former
youth team captain guided Chelsea to domestic and European glory before
featuring for the senior side, starting the last three Premier League
matches under Guus Hiddink.
So who's in Chelsea's current crop of youngsters, and could any follow in
Loftus-Cheek's footsteps? We take a look at their starting XI against PSG…
Bradley Collins - Goalkeeper
The first-choice 'keeper missed three games but kept clean sheets in four of
the seven he started, and turned hero in the final when he saved a penalty
from PSG forward Jean-Kevin Augustin.
He was named on Hiddink's 'B List' for the Champions League at the expense
of former AC Milan goalkeeper Marco Amelia, effectively making Collins the
club's fourth choice.
Dujon Sterling - Right-back
Sterling is one of the youngest members of manager Adi Viveash's squad at
16-years-old, and is still on schoolboy terms.
He regularly plays for the U16s but came into the UEFA Youth League team to
face Ajax in the quarter-finals and impressed, keeping his place against
Anderlecht in the semis and PSG in the final.
Fikayo Tomori - Centre-back
Tomori tapped home the opener to put Chelsea ahead in the final, but was
bailed out by goalkeeper Collins after bundling over Christopher Nkunku in
the penalty area.
He signed his first pro contract last year, and the Canada U20 international
helped hold Man Utd's man of the moment Marcus Rashford scoreless during a
recent 2-1 friendly victory over England U20s.
Even if you don't follow Chelsea youth football, his name may be familiar to
some fans - he was the youngster who broke Diego Costa's nose in a February
training accident, forcing the Spain striker to don a face mask.
Jake Clarke-Salter - Centre-back
The only member of the team to have made his senior debut, Clarke-Salter
came on against Aston Villa and won praise from John Terry. "He is doing
great and I hope he goes on to take my position in the first team," the
Blues captain said.
The Carshalton-born teenager joined Chelsea in 2006, and has represented
England at U18 and U19 level. He signed a new deal in November, ensuring he
is Chelsea's until at least 2019.
Ola Aina - Left-back
The 19-year-old is one of the most experienced members of the starting XI,
and one rated highly by former boss Jose Mourinho.
Following an injury to Branislav Ivanovic in October, Mourinho said: "I have
four options…[including] Ola Aina, an 18-year-old who has never played in
the Premier League, but a boy with lots of potential."
And he's got his eye on the first-team, saying: "Seeing players like Ruben
[Loftus-Cheek], players that I and other academy players have played
alongside - seeing him scoring and getting games for the first team - it's
motivation for everyone."
Charlie Colkett - Centre-midfield
One of the jewels of the academy, the double UEFA Youth League winner and
Chelsea captain was on Hiddink's bench against Swansea on April 9.
He was part of Mourinho's end-of-season tour to the Far East last summer,
with hopes for a larger role when Antonio Conte takes the reins.
"It's been an amazing trip," Colkett said last June. "What an experience
it's been. Training was lively, the match was great and just being around
the first team, which hopefully I'll be able to do in the future a lot more,
was great."
Colkett also leads the U21 side and has turned out for England U20s.
Mukhtar Ali - Centre-midfield
Ali provided the assist for the winning goal against PSG, and was the only
Chelsea player to feature in all 10 UEFA Youth League matches through to the
final.
Capable of playing in defence or attack, the England U17 international has a
knack for the spectacular, including a strike from inside his own half
against Real Madrid two years ago.
Jacob Maddox - Attacking midfield
Often employed as one of three 'Number 10s' behind Tammy Abraham, the
skilful Maddox joined from Bristol City as an U14.
He was regarded as one of the brightest talents in the country when Chelsea
won the race to sign him in 2013, and agreed his first pro deal in November.
Kyle Scott - Attacking midfield
Described as a "technical player" by the club's official website, Scott
joined from Southampton and signed a new Chelsea contract in February having
previously been linked with Real Madrid and Barcelona.
He can't seem to make up his mind at international level, though, turning
out for England U16s, Republic of Ireland at U17 and the USA at U18.
Kasey Palmer - Attacking midfield
The match-winner against PSG, Palmer has helped Chelsea scoop five major
honours since joining from Charlton midway through the 2012/13 season.
He was named on the senior team bench against Swansea, but is still waiting
for his first-team bow. Like Scott, he agreed a new contract in February,
tying him to the club until 2019.
Tammy Abraham - Striker
The rangy forward hit eight goals en route to the final, one shy of the top
scorer, Atletico Madrid's Roberto Nunez.
Even aside from the UEFA Youth League, his record at youth level is
prolific, with 32 goals in 26 appearances last season followed up by six in
six games as they reached the FA Youth Cup final.
Abraham has been with Chelsea since joining as an under eight.
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