Why Chelsea’s academy teams will have new names after big changes
Chelsea have surprised fans with a big name change that will affect two of their teams starting next season.
The Blues’ first team kick off the new Premier League season on Monday when Xabi Alonso’s squad faces Fulham in a West London derby at Craven Cottage.
But just before the new season begins, Chelsea revealed a surprise rebrand for their Under-21s and Under-19s squads. From the 2026/27 season, these teams—managed by Harry Hudson—will be called ‘Cobham Next Gen’ (CNG).
Hudson took over managing the Under-21s after Calum McFarlane joined the first-team coaching staff and has also been interim manager twice.
Chelsea explained the change in an official statement, saying this new name better reflects the age of their top Academy players and highlights the club’s history of developing future stars for the senior team.
Cobham is the name of Chelsea’s modern training center, which they moved into in 2005.
The club’s website said: “Starting in 2026/27, Chelsea’s Under-21s and Under-19s squads will be called Cobham Next Gen (CNG), led by head coach Harry Hudson. The new name fits the age group of our key Academy players and Chelsea’s proud history of developing future first-team players. Although the team played last season as an Under-21s side in Premier League 2, most players were closer to Under-18 age, with some just 16 years old playing regularly.
‘Cobham Next Gen’ better shows the team’s role in the Academy. It highlights a group of young players making progress, taking the final step toward senior football while competing at a tough level as they move through Cobham towards the men’s team.”
The statement added that ‘Cobham Next Gen’ also strengthens the Academy’s identity. It’s about more than age groups—it represents the players growing through Cobham and the chances they have to keep developing on their way to senior football. This name reflects Chelsea’s unique Academy, its culture, and its strong record of training players for top-level soccer.
Chelsea’s Academy has produced many top players over the years. Current stars like Reece James and Levi Colwill came through its ranks, along with big names like John Terry, Mason Mount, Dominic Solanke, Marc Guehi, Fikayo Tomori, Tammy Abraham, and Conor Gallagher.
Since BlueCo bought Chelsea, the club has made over £300 million from selling Academy players. The Blues have dominated youth football, winning five FA Youth Cups in a row from 2014 to 2018. Last season, the Under-21s won the Premier League 2 regular season, while the Under-18s took home the U18 Premier League National Title.
Chelsea’s women’s team, with a record eight WSL titles, won’t be affected by this change. There’s no news yet on whether Cobham Next Gen will have their own badge.
The first match under the new CNG name will be on Wednesday, when the team formerly known as the Under-18s play Norwich City. Then, the Under-21s will face Bournemouth’s young players on Friday at the Wyatt Homes Stadium.
Cobham Next Gen will also compete in the EFL Trophy, starting their campaign against Bristol Rovers next Tuesday.