Chelsea don announce say from next season, di Under-21 and Under-19 squads go now bear di name Cobham Next Gen (CNG). Di club tok say dis name go better fit di age profile of di team and di heritage of developing young players.
According to Chelsea, di average age of di squad last season na closer to Under-18 group, with plenty players wey be 16 years old dey feature regular. So di new name go reflect di squad wey dey take next step for dia development.
Di Under-21 side, wey Harry Hudson dey coach, finish top of Premier League 2 last season, but dem lose to Tottenham for di play-off quarter-finals. Dem be one of di youngest squads for di division.
But di move no go down well with some fans. Di fan group “Not a Project CFC” don release statement wey dey condemn di rebrand, calling am “unacceptable” and “another example of parasitic ownership stripping away di identity of our wonderful and historic football club piece by piece.”
Di statement tok say dem dey “angered and frustrated” but no surprise, and dem accuse di club ownership of no dey respect di heritage. Dem say players should dey proud to represent di club name from di moment dem enter youth setup, not “a soulless brand name cooked up by those who do not respect di club’s heritage.”
Di group wey organise protests against Chelsea ownership last season, including for di FA Cup final, also dey call on other supporters unions to make dia opposition public. Dem threaten say if dia concerns escalate, dem go call for demonstrative action again.
E no clear whether di club consult di official supporters trust before di change, but reports say dem no fit am. Chelsea don dey face regular criticism from fans since BlueCo take over from Roman Abramovic for 2022, especially over dia youth-focused transfer strategy and high manager turnover.
Xabi Alonso become di club’s sixth permanent head coach for four years when dem appoint am for May. Club captain Reece James and Levi Colwill na among di academy graduates wey don make am to di senior squad, and club legend John Terry also pass through di ranks.
Chelsea still dey insist say di rebrand go strengthen di Academy’s identity and dem say e go represent di players wey dey progress through Cobham towards di men’s game. Fans go still fit watch di fixtures on di Official Chelsea App and website via CFC+ subscription.
