After watching the Under-19s lift the UEFA Youth League title this week in Switzerland, Chelsea’s head of youth development Neil Bath has been reflecting on the achievement.
The young side beat Shakhtar Donetsk in the final on Monday following a semi-final victory over Roma three days earlier, and they impressed throughout the tournament.
Speaking to the official Chelsea website, Bath said: ‘It really is a fantastic accomplishment to have won this competition. It is the pinnacle of youth football in Europe, with the top clubs involved, so the win is a huge credit to everybody involved.
‘Adi Viveash [the Under-19s manager] and all the backroom staff deserve massive congratulations, as do the players, many of whom have been with us right from the start of their development. However, we must always acknowledge in these moments the enormous team effort that has gone into the development of this group of players.
‘From the scouts who bring them in at a young age to the staff at Cobham whose job it is to then develop them, it is a complete group effort and therefore everybody involved in the Academy should be incredibly proud.’
Bath highlighted the conduct of the players on and off the pitch in Switzerland, reporting many locals praised their style of football during the semi-final and final in Nyon.
‘Our football has been great and I think the people who came to watch the two games and to support us have really enjoyed themselves. We’ve also been complemented about the manner in which the players and staff have conducted themselves on and off the pitch this week. That’s just as important to me as winning on the pitch.’
Bath (pictured below far right) says the achievement is not just a reflection of Chelsea’s work in development but also an indication of the job being done in England in general.
‘We had eight English players starting in both games and, topped up with a few of the best foreign talents, that has always been our strategy in development. The win is great for English football as well;
it’s a reward for the hard work going on in English academies and centres of excellence. English football now has the European club Under-19 champions and the European international Under-17 champions – that says a lot.
‘Ultimately, it’s a wonderful success for the club and a great reward for the support we’ve had from the top to the bottom; from the board of directors to senior management and staff and right the way through to everybody who has worked with these players at one point or another over the last 10 years, plus all their families.'
Chelsea’s Under-18s are in action at Stamford Bridge later this month when they take on Manchester City in the FA Youth Cup final second leg. The game takes place on Monday 27 April, kick-off 7.45pm. Tickets are currently on general sale (maximum of 10 per person) priced at £5 for adults and £3 for juniors/seniors.
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