Coelho bringing new ideas but keeping the Chelsea way

The new Under-21s head coach of Chelsea, Filipe Coelho, recently talked about his main focus for the upcoming season as he begins working with his team during pre-season. He also shared his thoughts on why he thinks the staff at our Academy play a key role in its achievements.

As our Under-21 team gears up for the upcoming Premier League 2 matches, they are currently in the midst of their pre-season training. Their first game will be against Tottenham, who were the champions in the 2023/24 season and are also from London.

The team has been busy playing numerous friendly matches to get ready for the upcoming season opener. They are aiming to match the success of last season by making it to the play-offs and hopefully defeating the team that knocked them out in the semi-finals.

After a practice session at Cobham, new coach Filipe Coelho shared that he is pleased with how his Under-21s team is absorbing the teachings during their pre-season training. He is excited to see them develop and uphold the traditions and standards of Chelsea Football Club.

“The boys grasp the vision and the path we want to follow,” he stated. “They acknowledge the significance of mindset, maintaining motivation, and having determination, all of which improve their performance.

In order to move up to the men's team, it's important for them to understand that there is still a lot of work to be done and that it won't be easy. It's not just about their performance, but their mindset is also key. If they have the drive and determination, it will help propel them to the next level.

The team members have bonded well and are putting in their best efforts during training. By approaching practice sessions with the same intensity as actual games, they are setting themselves up for success. This level of commitment is key.

That's the Chelsea philosophy – putting in the effort, constantly reaching for higher goals, and staying resilient. These qualities are vital characteristics for this team.

In Coelho's opinion, the psychological element of the professional game is crucial for the players at this point in their growth, and it is a focus of their preparation for the upcoming 2024/25 season.

Ever since I became a part of the team, we have been putting a lot of emphasis on the mental attitude of the players, especially in the last week. I strongly believe that this aspect is crucial.

This includes improving elements like the players' nonverbal cues, their interaction in different scenarios, and how they behave during practice sessions and gatherings.

We are Chelsea and we should always have a strong desire for more. I think that you can only have this desire if you are mentally prepared for more. We aim to develop strong personalities within our players, emphasizing our core values, work ethic, and attitude.

The 39-year-old coach is convinced that having a positive mindset is crucial for the players to succeed. He also understands that it will help them progress to the next level in their careers, hopefully reaching senior football for the first time.

We understand that some of our players may be thrust into that situation during pre-season, or they may have the chance later in the season. However, they must be prepared both physically and mentally at all times.

I always tell the guys to take their time in the development squad. It's vital to enjoy each moment and soak up every experience. When the right opportunity comes, you'll be prepared to move forward in your career.

The coach from Portugal has a team of committed staff at Cobham to assist him in preparing the Under-21s for their future careers. He thinks that the Chelsea Academy's success in developing young talent is due to the support and unity among the staff.

Ever since I became a member of the club, I have familiarized myself with every department because I think it's important to understand everyone who works behind the scenes,' Coelho added.

In Cobham, it's obvious that everyone collaborates to reach success and it is evident. Every team has shown excitement in working with me and I am extremely thankful.

This is the key to achieving success, as each individual contributes to the advancement of our players.