Under-21s preview: Robinson wants response against Saints

The Chelsea Under-21s team has a goal for Friday night's match against Southampton: to achieve a top position in the Premier League 2. The game will be available for viewing on the Official Chelsea App.

The youthful Blues team has already guaranteed themselves a spot in the end-of-season play-offs. They'll now aim to secure a high-ranking spot to enhance their chances in the knockout phase.

The last game of the regular league season will see Southampton come to Kingsmeadow. The match will start at 7pm, and you'll be able to watch it live on the Chelsea App.

At this moment, Mark Robinson's team is in fourth position, however, they are on the same goal difference as Arsenal and Liverpool who are below them. On Sunday, Arsenal and Liverpool will play against each other.

We need to win against Southampton who are still pushing for a spot in the play-offs because if we lose and Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Reading win their last games, they could surpass us in the rankings. So, it's very important to get a good result in this game.

In addition to ensuring a favorable seeding, winning would also assist in regaining momentum after the distressing semi-final loss to Fulham in the Premier League Cup.

Robinson stated that it's crucial for us to deliver a great performance when we face Southampton. Despite our already qualifying status, it's a critical game for the opposing team as they need the win to secure qualification.

Therefore, we need to display a reaction as it wouldn't be ideal to enter the playoffs after two unsatisfactory displays. We will surely strive for that both on a personal and team level.

Robinson thinks that opposing teams tend to perform exceptionally well when they go against the Blues, just as Fulham did last week. So, as the coach of our Under-21 team, he is eager for his players to demonstrate that they can handle this challenge.

During his nearly two years of working here, he shared that he has learned something important. When we prepare for games against the opposition, we observe and analyze their games. However, when we actually compete against them, we notice that they seem to exert 20% more effort and are more vocal.

As an academy, we are well-known for our outstanding reputation. We often mention to our players about the added pressure that comes with wearing the Chelsea shirt, which we refer to as the "Chelsea tax". We want our players to be aware of the high expectations placed upon them by other teams, and to be able to handle that pressure with ease.

I have to admit that throughout the season they had displayed indications of that, but on Friday it was different and they earned the win.

"Live Stream: Where To Watch"

If you're interested, the game between our Under-21s and Crystal Palace in the Premier League 2 can be viewed live on the Chelsea App. While you watch, keep an eye on the enhanced stats and event tracking provided by MVX, which was developed by Infinite Athlete. Price-wise, it will cost £1.99 and can be enjoyed anywhere in the world.