Chelsea’s newly appointed Beneath-21s head coach Filipe Coelho has been discussing his priorities throughout his first pre-season working along with his squad and defined why he believes it’s the folks working in our Academy who’re liable for its success.
With pre-season coaching in full swing, our Beneath-21s are busy getting ready for the upcoming Premier League 2 motion, which kicks off with a house match in opposition to 2023/24 champions and London rivals Tottenham.
The facet has been working by way of a packed schedule earlier than that opener, that includes a collection of pleasant fixtures to make sure the Blues are well-prepared and able to comply with in final season’s footsteps by progressing to the play-offs, and hopefully getting some early revenge in opposition to the crew which eradicated us from final season’s semi-finals.
Sitting down after a coaching session at Cobham, new Beneath-21s head coach Filipe Coelho defined he’s already impressed by the best way his squad has been taking over classes throughout pre-season to proceed progressing to comply with the Chelsea method.
‘The boys perceive the imaginative and prescient and the path we wish to take,’ he stated. ‘They recognise the significance of angle, staying motivated and being pushed, all of which improve their efficiency.
‘To transition to the boys’s crew, they have to be conscious that loads of exhausting work stays and that the method will likely be difficult. Whereas efficiency is essential, mindset additionally performs a major function. If they’ve the need, it’ll push them to the subsequent degree.
‘The gamers have gelled nicely as a crew and are giving their all in coaching classes. Their dedication to coaching as if they’re competing in matches will put together them successfully. This dedication is essential.
‘That is the Chelsea method – working exhausting, at all times striving for extra and by no means giving up. These values are important attributes for this squad.’
For Coelho, that psychological side of the skilled sport is very essential for the gamers throughout this stage of their improvement, and it’s an space he and the crew are working exhausting on forward of the 2024/25 season.
‘Since I joined – and significantly up to now week or so – we have now been specializing in the psychological mindset of the gamers, which I imagine is extremely essential.
‘It entails creating elements such because the gamers’ physique language, how they impart in numerous conditions and the way they conduct themselves throughout coaching and conferences.
‘We’re Chelsea. We should always at all times be hungry for extra. I imagine you’ll be able to solely be hungry in case you are mentally prepared for extra. Inside our gamers, we wish to construct character, specializing in our values, work ethic and angle.’
Not solely does the 39-year-old imagine {that a} optimistic psychological angle will assist the gamers flourish, however he additionally recognises that it’s going to put together them to take the subsequent step of their careers, which is able to hopefully be their first in senior soccer.
‘We all know that a few of our gamers may bounce straight into that surroundings throughout pre-season, or they might get the chance later within the season. However they have to be bodily and mentally prepared at any second.
‘I at all times say to the boys: “by no means rush your experiences within the improvement squad”. It’s essential to stay within the second and take every thing in, as a result of when the time comes, you may be able to take the subsequent step in your profession.’
The Portuguese coach has loads of devoted workers at Cobham readily available to assist in his work getting ready the Beneath-21s for the subsequent stage of their careers, and he believes that assist and togetherness is a giant a part of what makes the Chelsea Academy so profitable at creating younger expertise.
‘Since becoming a member of the membership, I’ve gotten to know every division as a result of I imagine it is essential to get to know everybody behind the scenes,’ added Coelho.
‘At Cobham, it is clear that everybody works collectively to attain success and it reveals. Every division has been obsessed with working alongside me and I could not be extra grateful.
‘That is how success is achieved, as each single individual helps progress our gamers.’