Premier League Cup preview: Under-21s welcome Luton to Kingsmeadow
From the official Chelsea FC website:
Chelsea Under-21s are back in action this evening when we take on the Hatters in the Premier League Cup, with kick-off scheduled for 7pm.
The Premier League Cup format remains unchanged, meaning our Under-21s will play six group-stage games in total, home and away against our three opponents Luton Town, Colchester United and Leeds United.
The games are coming thick and fast for our older Academy side as they seek a good start to the PL Cup against Luton tonight. Mark Robinson‘s team come into this game fresh off a 3-1 loss to Olympique Lyonnais in the our first International Premier League Cup fixture on Saturday. Despite that defeat, though, Robinson remains positive that every game is a learning curve for his young side.
‘From a squad perspective we are looking at constant improvement,’ said the Under-21s head coach. ‘There have been a lot of changes to the squad on a weekly basis so it is important we all stay focused on constant improvement and the consistent results will follow.’
It is important to note the squad has also changed significantly from the one which ended last season and that is a part of the Academy process. With new players and new competitions, Robinson is excited to see what new challenges the campaign may bring.
‘It’s a competition where we get to play teams we may not face regularly, which will bring about different and much needed challenges for our young group,’ he added.
‘As well as being tactically prepared, working hard to impose our style of play on the game, we need to show the physical and social psychological behaviours that will bring a win.’
With defeats against MK Dons and Lyon in two openers for different knockout competitions, it will be important to try and start on the front foot in the Premier League Cup in what will be a difficult test against Luton, to improve our chances of a top-two finish in the group and progressing to the last-16 stage.
The game kicks off at 7pm at Kingsmeadow and tickets are still available here.
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