Why Chelsea's academy teams won't have the same name as unprecedented change made
Chelsea have announced a shock name change which will impact two of their sides starting from the upcoming season.
The Blues' first-team kick off the new Premier League campaign on Monday, as Xabi Alonso's men take on Fulham in a West London derby at Craven Cottage.
But just days ahead of the new season beginning, Chelsea announced a shock rebrand which will see their Under-21s and Under-19s squads go by a different name to the rest of the club.
Starting from the 2026/27 campaign, the two squads - managed by Harry Hudson - will be known as 'Cobham Next Gen' (CNG).
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Hudson began managing the Under-21s side when Calum McFarlane moved up to the first-team coaching staff and had two spells as interim manager.
Chelsea explain unprecedented name change in official statement
Chelsea put out an official statement confirming the change, which the club believe "more accurately reflects the age profile of our leading Academy side and Chelsea's long-standing heritage of developing the next generation of players for the senior game."
Cobham is the name of the state-of-the-art training facility Chelsea moved into back in 2005.
The statement on the club's official website said: "From the start of the 2026/27 season, Chelsea's Under-21s and Under-19s squads will be known as Cobham Next Gen (CNG) under head coach Harry Hudson.
"The new name more accurately reflects the age profile of our leading Academy side and Chelsea's long-standing heritage of developing the next generation of players for the senior game. While the squad competed in Premier League 2 as an Under-21s side, its average age last season was closer to that of an Under-18s group, with several players as young as 16 years old featuring regularly.
"Cobham Next Gen also better fits the role of the squad within the Academy. It recognises a group of young players with momentum, taking the next step in their development - the final one in the pathway to senior football - competing at a higher level as they continue their journey through Cobham towards the men's team."
It continued: "The introduction of Cobham Next Gen also strengthens the Academy's identity. More than an age-group name, it represents the players progressing through Cobham and the opportunities available to them as they continue their development towards the men's game.
"This new identity reflects the distinction of Chelsea’s Academy as a unique footballing environment with its own history, culture and proven record of developing players for the highest level of the game."
Chelsea's academy has produced a wealth of talent over the years, with current first-teamers Reece James and Levi Colwill standing out as two notable graduates.
Other players to come through the ranks include John Terry, Mason Mount, Dominic Solanke, Marc Guehi, Fikayo Tomori, Tammy Abraham and Conor Gallagher.
Since BlueCo bought Chelsea, the club have made more than £300 million in player sales involving academy products.
The Blues have dominated academy football and won five consecutive FA Youth Cups in a glorious period between 2014 and 2018.
Last season, the Under 21s won the Premier League 2 regular season and the Under 18s won the U18 Premier League National Title.
The club's women's side, who have a record eight WSL titles, are not affected by the change. There is no word on whether a different badge will be sported by CNG.
The first game under the CNG name comes on Wednesday, when the team previously known as the Under 18s take on Norwich City.
Following that, the Under-21s outfit take on Bournemouth's youngsters at the Wyatt Homes Stadium on Friday.
The CNG will also participate in the EFL trophy, kicking off the campaign against Bristol Rovers next Tuesday.
Topics: Chelsea, Premier League
Josh Lawless