Neil Mellor believes his former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will be a big hit at Aston Villa after swapping his Glasgow hot-seat for a new challenge in the Premier League. 

“When Steven Gerrard is in the dressing room he brings with him an aura. He is a leader wanting to be the best and demanding the best; not settling for standards that aren’t at that level. As a player he wanted to be the best every day on the training pitch and though I haven’t seen him work as a coach he still has that mentality and that rubs off on the players. Watching from afar, he has done that at Rangers so at Villa it will be the same. He won’t accept anything less than players demanding the most from themselves. He brings that inspiration about him, as a leader.”

Gerrard’s appointment has inevitably led some to suggest the top job at Anfield may await him should he further prove his managerial credentials. Does Mellor – who famously once scored a last-minute winner from 30 yards out for the Reds – think he will one day be an able successor to Jurgen Klopp?

“Steven Gerrard will always have a role at Liverpool, in the future or whenever that may be. He has earned the right as one of Liverpool’s greatest ever players, alongside Sir Kenny Dalglish, to always be welcome at Liverpool football club and if the decision-makers at the club deem him good enough he certainly has the hunger and desire to be a top coach. I’m sure that’s his ultimate dream to be the coach at Liverpool one day.”

It will be fascinating to see whether this playing legend but relatively rookie coach is successful on his return to the English top-flight. Over on Merseyside meanwhile, Mellor’s ex club is once again in contention at the summit, putting together performances that are positively fearsome and all while averaging a little under three goals per game.

Yet, in between these impressive displays, points are being unexpectedly dropped and indeed it could even be argued that Klopp’s men are blowing hot and cold this term. Mellow however, does not agree.  

“Yes, there have been a couple of draws along the way, all be it against Chelsea and Manchester City, who are their title rivals, but Liverpool are in a really good position to challenge for the title this season, whereas last year the injuries had an impact. 

I’m not concerned by the odd draw here and there because Liverpool have shown they can blow teams away, like they did against United.”

Chief tormentor in that comprehensive victory at Old Trafford was Mo Salah, who is currently on course to match his astonishing goal-haul from 2017/18. Mellor thinks a burning personal ambition is driving the Egyptian on to even higher heights.

“When he arrived at the football club no-one saw him as this goal-scorer, which he has proved to be. That’s where he deserves so much credit – and the manager – for how he’s kicked on to become one of the best players in the Premier League. His movement is outstanding and he’s a very unselfish player at times as well: his assist record is impressive for a top centre-forward. He’s now established himself as one of Liverpool’s great players, because of the consistency he has shown.

He will want to win the Golden Boot, Mo Salah. He’s lost out the last two seasons on the last day and there is a real hunger and desire to be the Golden Boot winner again. Liverpool are going to benefit from him scoring those goals again this season.” 

If the Reds have been typically prolific up front, at the back minor concerns persist, namely the way in which opponents appear to target Trent Alexander-Arnold as a weak link defensively. For all that the full-back offers going forward, does his adventurous marauding sometimes hurt his team?

Appropriately, considering the topic, Mellor springs to Trent’s defence. 

“Liverpool have played 11 Premier League games. They’ve had six clean sheets. That’s not a bad record and Trent has played the majority of those games.

  
I think Trent is very important to the team. A lot is made about him defensively, but he is so important to how Liverpool play and they are a much better team with him in their starting line-up. You only have to look at what he gives the team while his numbers going forward are among the best of all creative players in the league. 

Defensively, Liverpool have conceded goals but it’s not a problem for them with Van Dijk and Allison there.”

Still, one opposition that did capitalize on the England international’s straying from his full-back berth was West Ham last week, gaining a win that has propelled them to third in the league. Another of Mellor’s former clubs, how impressed has he been by the Hammers, and particularly their previously maligned manager? 

“I think David Moyes has been superb. I really like him. As a manager he has created a real identity at West Ham. They’re a big football club but they’ve never really had that consistency from or connection with a manager and David Moyes has given them that. West Ham fans enjoy watching their team and that’s a big factor and they’ve got a bit of everything and can mix it up. They’ve got pace and can be aggressive when they need to be, fighting to get the three points. I’ve been really impressed with what David Moyes has done and he has proven he’s a top coach in the Premier League.”

Which leaves one final question, can the Hammers secure a Champions League place this season? 

“I think they’ll be right in the mix for a Champions League spot. We asked the question, whether they can compete in the league alongside their Europa League commitments and so far they’re doing well.

The only potential problem is injuries. If they get a number of injuries that will really hamper their season. At the moment though they’re been fortunate and if that continues they’ll be right in the mix for the top four.”

Neil Mellor quickfire questions

Score prediction for England v Albania

England to win three or four nil.

Who will win the Premier League?

I know who I want to win it. Who do I think will win it? Ask me again in March.

Who will win the Golden Boot?

Mo Salah

Who will win the Champions League?

Liverpool. Or I have a sneaky suspicion about Atletico Madrid, but everyone laughs at that.

*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

FIRST PUBLISHED: 18th November 2021

• David Seaman is largely recognised as the greatest ever Arsenal goalkeeper

• The Gunners have had some excellent keepers between the sticks throughout their 135-year history

• Jens Lehmann has been Arsenal’s best shot stopper in modern times

One of the biggest clubs in English football, Arsenal have had a plethora of talented keepers between the posts throughout their illustrious history.

If you’re relatively new to football odds, you may not know some of the Gunners legends on this list but almost every supporter will know England star David Seaman. 

While fans usually associate Arsenal with free-flowing, attacking football, the Gunners have been blessed with some of the greatest goalkeepers to grace England’s upper echelons.

The likes of Seaman and Jens Lehmann kept Arsenal at the top for many years – similar to how the best Liverpool goalkeepers helped the Reds to dominate Europe.

Arsenal have lost their way in recent seasons but Aaron Ramsdale is enjoying a sensational year in the Gunners goal and he could eventually contest for a spot on this list.

So without further ado, it’s time to look at the history of Arsenal goalkeepers. From the best shot stoppers of years gone by to today’s Gunners goalies, it’s sure to be one hell of a ride.

Current Arsenal Goalkeepers

Aaron Ramsdale joined Arsenal from Sheffield United in the summer and he has been an instant hit at the Emirates Stadium.

While Gunners fans were split on the new Arsenal goalkeeper heading into the season, Ramsdale has won supporters over with a string of impressive displays.

He was named the club's Player of the Month in October 2021 and the 23-year-old has time on his side as he looks to challenge for a place among the Arsenal goalkeeping legends.

Despite Ramsdale’s arrival, Bernd Leno is the Arsenal number one and the Germany shot stopper is a competent option if Mikel Arteta wants to switch things up.

Leno moved to Arsenal in 2018 but has struggled to inspire confidence during his initial tenure at the club, hence why the Gunners acquired Ramsdale last summer.

With rumours hinting at an Emirates exit for Leno in January, the Arsenal goalkeeper situation could be completely different come February 2022.

Best Arsenal Goalkeepers

• David Seaman

Seaman was an ever-present for Arsenal during his 13 years at the club, racking up over 400 appearances and cementing his status as a club legend.

Pulling off a number of breath-taking saves in the red and white, Seaman was a reliable figure in the Arsenal goal and the media were quick to name him ‘Safe Hands’.

He was the backbone of Arsenal’s success for over a decade, helping the Gunners to justify Premier League predictions en route to two league titles and four FA Cup triumphs.

Without a doubt, Seaman is the club’s greatest ever goalkeeper. Rival fans still bring up that Ronaldinho free-kick in 2002 but for Arsenal, ‘Safe Hands’ was as reliable as they come.

• Pat Jennings

The best goalkeepers tend to have their quirks and Pat Jennings was certainly unorthodox. In fact, he is credited with being one of the first keepers to make a save using his legs.

Jennings played for arch rivals Tottenham Hotspur but almost every football fan remembers him for his time at Arsenal. Without a doubt, he is a Gunners legend.

In the end, Jennings made over 300 appearances for the Gunners, helping the club to reach three FA Cup finals during his eight years at Highbury.

• Jack Kelsey

Around long before Premier League Odds became a thing, Jack Kelsey was dedicated to Arsenal for three decades – that is some achievement.

He joined the club in 1949 and learned the ropes for two seasons behind George Swindon but went on to hold the number one jersey for over eight years.

Like Moss, Kelsey revolutionised the goalkeeper position. Not only did he perfect the ‘sweeper keeper’ role, but he rubbed chewing gum on hands before matches to improve his grip.

Kelsey played 327 games for Arsenal while also receiving over 40 caps for his beloved Wales. To this day, he is still regarded as the best Welsh goalkeeper of all-time.

• Jens Lehmann

Brilliant to watch, Jens Lehmann brought personality and character to the goalkeeper role – and he was a huge hit with the Arsenal supporters.

Lehmann was a key figure during the Arsenal Invincibles campaign, playing all 38 games en route to winning the Premier League title.

Like many of the top Arsenal goalkeepers, Lehmann returned for a second spell at the club before hanging up his gloves. He is now completing his coaching badges.

Yes, he was sent off in the 2006 Champions League final but it would be unfair to remember Lehmann for that. Instead, cherish his impact and influence on the club.

• Frank Moss

If you look back through the annals of Arsenal Football Club, you’ll see that Frank Moss is fondly remembered by supporters of that area.

Moss was known for his bravery, rushing out to confront attackers when through on goal. In many ways, he was one of the original sweeper keepers.

Bizarrely, Moss is perhaps best known for scoring the first goal in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Everton in 1933 – a result that meant the Gunners won the English title.

Having suffered a dislocated shoulder, Moss was taken out of goal but stayed on the pitch as a left winger. Incredibly, he bagged the only goal of his career to fire Arsenal to glory.

*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

Run over two miles at Sandown Park, the Tingle Creek is one of the most prestigious races of its kind in the division.

Speed and accurate jumping are of the essence in a race which has been won by some of Jump racing’s all time greats down the years, including Desert Orchid, Moscow Flyer, Kauto Star, Sprinter Sacre, Sire De Grugy and Altior.

First run in 1979 the Tingle Creek was originally a handicap but in 1994 was upgraded to a Grade 1 race which is open to runners aged four or older.

Flagship Uberalles is the only horse to have won the race three times (1999 – 2001). He amazingly won for three different trainers and jockeys.

In 1999 he was trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Joe Tizzard, before following up in 2000 for the Noel Chance stable in the hands of Richard Johnson. His final success in 2001 came courtesy of trainer Philip Hobbs and jockey Robert Widger.

Thirteen fences are jumped in what is one of the key trials of the year for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

The famous railway fences down the back straight at Sandown are some of the toughest around and provide the perfect spectacle for the sport of National Hunt.

Plenty of Tingle Creek winners have also won the Queen Mother Champion Chase – Politologue becoming the most recent to win both races when successful at Cheltenham in 2020.

It’s not an easy feat, but you’ve got every chance if you’re flying high at the top of this racing division. If you can win here your Cheltenham Races betting odds are sure to diminish.

Tingle Creek Winners

• 2020 - (3:58.14) Politologue 9-y-o 11-7 11/8F (Harry Skelton/Paul Nicholls)
• 2019 - (3:59.00) Defi Du Seuil 6-y-o 11-7 2/1F (Barry Geraghty/Philip Hobbs)
• 2018 - (4:03.20) Altior 8-y-o 11-7 8/13F (Nico de Boinville/Nicky Henderson)
• 2017 - (3:54.30) Politologue 6-y-o 11-7 7/2 (Harry Cobden/Paul Nicholls)
• 2016 - (3:51.35) Un De Sceaux 8-y-o 11-7 5/4F (Ruby Walsh/ Willie Mullins)
• 2015 - (3:53.90) Sire De Grugy 9-y-o 11-7 100/30 (Jamie Moore/Gary Moore)
• 2014 - (4:00.40) Dodging Bullets 6-y-o 11-7 9/1 (Sam Twiston-Davies/Paul Nicholls)
• 2013 - (3:51.40) Sire De Grugy 7-y-o 11-7 7/4F (Jamie Moore/Gary Moore)
• 2012 - (3:59.30) Sprinter Sacre 6-y-o 11-7 4/11F (Barry Geraghty/Nicky Henderson)
• 2011 - (3:59.80) Sizing Europe 9-y-o 11-7 11/8F (A E Lynch/Henry De Bromhead)

Tingle Creek Statistics

• Age: 7 of the last 10 winners were aged between 6 and 8.
• Price: 7 of the last 10 favourites/joint favourites have won, 9/10 winners came from the top three in the horse racing betting.
• Last Run: 6 of the last 10 winners won on their last run before the Tingle Creek Chase, 8/10 winners ran within the last 32 days.
• 3/10 winners ran in the Haldon Gold Cup (Exeter) on their last run, 1 of the 3 won, 1 placed.
• 3/12 winners ran in the Shloer Chase (Cheltenham) on their last run, 1 of the 3 won, 1 placed.
• Previous Course Form: 8/10 winners had at least one previous run at Sandown, 7/10 winners had at least one previous win at Sandown.
• Previous Distance Form: 10/10 winners had at least 10 previous runs over 2m-2m 1f, 10/10 had at least 5 previous wins over 2m-2m 1f.
• Previous Chase Form: 10/10 winners had at least 7 previous chase runs, 10/10 winners had at least 3 previous chase wins.
• Rating: 9/10 winners were rated 163 or higher.
• Grade 1 Wins: 10/10 winners had at least one previous win in a Grade 1 race, 10/10 winners had at least one win in a Grade 1-3 race.
• Season Form: 9/10 winners had at least one run that season, 6/10 winners had at least one win that season.

Leading Trainers

Paul Nicholls is the runaway leader with an amazing 11 Tingle Creek wins to his name.

The Ditcheat handler has saddled the following horses to win the Esher feature: Flagship Uberalles (1999), Cenkos (2002), Kauto Star (2005 & 2006), Twist Magic (2007 & 2009), Master Minded (2008 & 2010), Dodging Bullets (2014) and Politologue (2017 & 2020).

Other trainers who have ended up being “bit part players” in this race to some degree include, Nicky Henderson (2 wins), Philip Hobbs (2 wins), Gary Moore (2 wins) and Jessica Harrington (2 wins).

You can find out who the Seven Barrows handler may be sending to Sandown this year in our Nicky Henderson stable tour.

Leading Jockeys

Retired jockey Richard Dunwoody has five wins to his name. Dunwoody won the race on Lefrak City (1985), Waterloo Boy (1991, 1992) and Sound Man (1995, 1996).

The current leading jockey in the Tingle Creek over the last 20 renewals is Jamie Moore who has won the race twice. Those wins came aboard Sire De Grugy in (2013, 2015).

Tingle Creek 'Trial' Races

The Shloer Chase at Cheltenham and the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter can offer potential Tingle Creek horses a prep run before taking on Sandown, but in reality looking back at the previous season for likely runners is the best course of action for your bets.

Starting Prices

The Tingle Creek is very much a favourite’s race with twelve of them obliging in the last 20 years. If the favourite doesn’t win then another horse from the top three in betting generally does.

The biggest priced winner in recent times was Dodging Bullets in 2014. Paul Nicholls’ charge was victorious at odds of 9/1 under the guidance of Sam Twiston-Davies.

Our 888sport antepost NAP of the day for the 2021 Tingle Creek on December 4th is Shishkin @ 4/5.

*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

FIRST PUBLISHED: 16th November 2021

• Liverpool have been blessed with some truly exceptional goalkeepers 

• A trio of number ones dominated the position for the latter half of the 20th century

• Their present custodian Alisson might one day be viewed as their greatest ever

From their rise under Bill Shankley to a modern-day makeover in the Klopp-era, Liverpool have been blessed with some truly outstanding goalkeepers, several of which are celebrated below.

Impressively, across a vast period of time that easily covers three decades and more, the Reds’ goal was guarded by just a trio of great stoppers, with a couple of able deputies filling in when required, and if the turn-over has quickened in recent times, presently they possess a number one who might one day be viewed as the best of the lot.

Under Alisson Becker, Liverpool finally won their first Premier League crown in 2020. Our Premier League predictions have them firmly in the mix this term too.

Current Liverpool Goalkeepers

Alisson Becker’s importance to Jurgen Klopp’s Red revolution has been somewhat underplayed, perhaps over-shadowed by the goal-scoring exploits of Liverpool’s formidable front three.

This is ironic given that the Brazilian is in an exclusive club of goalkeepers to score a Premier League goal, heading a dramatic 95th minute winner in 2021 against West Brom.

Regardless, the 6ft 3 number one has been a superb acquisition for the Merseyside giants since he joined from Roma in 2018 for a world record fee at the time.

Indeed, it could be reasonably argued that the substantial £66.8 million can be considered a bargain in hindsight.

Alisson is a highly proficient shot-stopper, blessed with a finely tuned positional reading while his ‘sweeping’ up of danger makes him a thoroughly modern exponent of his craft.

Not only is he one of the best goalkeepers in the EPL, many believe him to be the finest in the world at present.

Nicknamed ‘O Goleiro Gato’ is his homeland – which translates as ‘the cat-like goalkeeper’ – Alisson’s reactive saves have played a pivotal role in his team’s recent successes, that include a Champions League triumph in 2019 and the club’s first ever Premier League title a season later.

He is destined to be Liverpool’s chief custodian for many years to come.

Battling it out to be the South American’s main understudy is Adrian and Caoimhin Kelleher, the latter of whom Klopp has turned to in recent times, trusting the 22-year-old Irish stopper more due to a handful of reliable displays.

On three occasions the talent from Cork has kept nets in the Premier League, keeping two clean sheets, and with a brace of shut-outs in the Champions League too, his future looks extremely bright.

By way of comparison, his rival Adrian must first seek to redeem his past.

A string of individual errors and poor performances has seen the former West Ham keeper pushed towards the rear of the queue and though his manager is quick to point out his many attributes, it seems the 34-year-old has lost the trust of the Kop.

As Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius can each attest, it’s very hard to gain that back. Speaking of which, it’s surprising to learn that Karius remains on the club’s books, returning last summer from his latest loan stint in Germany.

The gaffe-prone keeper is fourth in line for a starting spot and is unlikely for feature for the Reds anytime soon.

Best Liverpool Goalkeepers

• Ray Clemence

The Skegness-born stopper remarkably only missed six games for the Reds across 11 years, a decade that saw Liverpool dominate both the domestic scene and accumulate multiple continental honours.

Clemence would have easily won considerably more than 61 England caps had his peak not coincided with Peter Shilton’s but at Anfield he reigned supreme, a class act whose unflappable style of goalkeeping was admired far and wide.

On the rare occasions the opposition managed to carve out a chance against the great Liverpool sides of the Seventies, there was Ray to frustrate them.

• Bruce Grobbelaar

Premier League Odds odds presently have Liverpool down as third favourites for the title. Back in Grobbelaar’s day, no other team would have been close.

In the South African’s first ten years in England the Reds didn’t once finish outside of the top two with the title secured on six occasions.

There was also a European Cup triumph made memorable by Grobbelaar’s ‘spaghetti legs’ routine that put off a Roma player in a nail-biting penalty shoot-out.

Though the moustachioed stopper is recalled as the Clown Prince of Anfield for his eccentric style of keeping – so often racing from his area to clear the danger – it’s worth noting that his ‘sweeper-keepering’ preceded the modern trend by a generation.

• Elisha Scott

The Northern Irishman holds the distinction of being Liverpool’s longest serving player, guarding the nets for such a length of time that it includes one world war and nearly two.

By 1920, Scott had established himself as a firm fan favourite and regular starter, admired for his athleticism and bravery with a journalist once writing of him: “He has the eye of an eagle, the swift movement of a panther when flinging himself at a shot and the clutch of a vice when gripping the ball.”

Scott departed Anfield in 1934, gaining deserved entry into Liverpool’s Hall of Fame many years later as his legendary status grew.

• Pepe Reina

Reina can justifiably lay claim to being a criminally under-rated stopper, a World Cup winner no less who brilliantly kept nets at Liverpool for just shy of a decade.

On joining from Villarreal in 2005, the Spaniard became the fastest Liverpool keeper to rack up 100 clean sheets, achieved in just 198 games.

Soon after, he exceeded the clean sheet tallies of Clemence and Grobbelaar, thus proving beyond all doubt his elite credentials.

That these feats were accomplished while bolstering Liverpool sides that routinely veered from the sublime to the ridiculous is further testament to his immense ability.

• Tommy Lawrence

The affable Scot signed for Liverpool aged 17, and all-told made 306 first team appearances, winning the league twice as well as lifting the FA Cup in 1965.

The football betting markets pitch Liverpool as one of the clear favourites to once again win the famous competition this year.

Affectionately nicknamed the ‘Flying Pig’ due to his 14 stone frame, Lawrence found social media fame long after retirement when a clip emerged of a local news reporter asking Liverpudlians of their memories of a Merseyside derby from the Sixties.

“I played in it,” Lawrence stated, proud yet modest. “I was the goalkeeper for Liverpool.”

*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

• The Chelsea U23 squad are where the club’s brightest young players develop their skills.

• Chelsea’s business model depends on preparing these players for senior football.

• Many of its graduates have found success both at Chelsea and elsewhere.

History

The Chelsea Under-23s have in recent years competed at the highest level of reserve football in England, Premier League 2. The team mainly consists of under-21 players and occasionally senior players looking to regain fitness.

Generally, players must be under 23, which for the 2021/22 season meant all players born after January 1st 1998. However, participating teams can play a goalkeeper over the age limit, and up to three outfield players.

Premier League 2 is a relatively new competition, replacing the Under-21 Premier League in 2016, and consists of 14 teams.

The change was made to allow clubs to develop players differently, focusing on physicality, intensity, and technical skills in an attempt to bridge the gap between youth and senior football.

Those who enjoy sports betting will be keeping a keen eye on the latest talents being developed by Chelsea.

Chelsea U23 Former Players

Many top-class footballers have represented Chelsea football club at U23 level, going on to represent the senior side or finding success elsewhere.

An obvious example is John Terry, who joined Chelsea’s youth ranks aged 14, making almost 500 appearances for Chelsea and winning every major trophy along the way. In 2005 Terry was named PFA Player of the Year and will forever be a stonewall legend in West London.

Other notable names include Graeme Le Saux, Robert Huth and Carlton Cole while historically, many greats have passed through Chelsea’s famed academy, such as Jimmy Greaves, Ray Wilkins, Peter Osgood and Terry Venables.

In more recent times a host of players have broken into the first team which is a testament to the faith, and investment, the club has put into their youth system.

Trevoh Chalobah is the latest young star to emerge, following on from Mason Mount, now a first team regular and England star, plus Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Reece James and Andreas Christensen.

These home-grown stars are a key component of Chelsea’s recent success, and many putting on football bets today will be tipping the team for more trophies as a consequence.

Somewhat controversially Chelsea loan out a great many of their brightest young talents, but from a positive standpoint a few of them are getting rave reviews at other clubs in 2021/22.

Conor Gallagher is already a firm fan favourite at Crystal Palace while the diminutive schemer Billy Gilmour is getting valuable game-time at Norwich City.

Welsh youngster Ethan Ampadu is at Roma and Armando Broja is a goal-scoring plus at Southampton. For others, such as Patrick Bamford, Tariq Lamptey and Nathan Aké, success is found via permanent moves to other clubs.

Best Chelsea U23 Players

As expected, the current U23 line-up at Chelsea includes a wealth of young talent looking to break through.

At the back, Finnish goalkeeper Lucas Bergström is considered one of the hottest properties in Europe while defender Xavier Mbuyamba is expected to rise to the top despite being hampered by injuries of late.

But this is a squad full of goals. One player with an eye for goal is Harvey Vale, who operates as a left midfielder or in the No. 10 role. He has been praised for his calmness in possession and ability to link up play with teammates.

Norwegian U19 international Bryan Fiabema meanwhile, has quickly made an impression at Chelsea after arriving in 2021, offering a physical presence and the ability to score on an almost weekly basis.

Another player who has hit the goal trail is the young sensation – and fabulously named - Jude Soonsup-Bell, who plays with a maturity beyond his years and has already hit four goals in a single game.

His killer instinct makes him one to watch. Unsurprisingly, given the high ceiling of talent on display, many Premier League predictions hint at more of these young stars breaking into the senior team in seasons to come.

Coach

The U23 team are coached by ex-pro Andy Myers, who began his senior playing career at Chelsea, making 106 appearances between 1991-99.

He was a product of the Chelsea Centre of Excellence and was voted the club’s Young Player of the Year for the 1990/91 season.

He was also capped by England at U20 and U21 level. Though never a first-team regular at the Bridge – a situation not helped by persistent injuries - Myers was a valued part of the Chelsea squad that won the FA Cup in 1997 and the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1998.

After the end of his playing career, he returned to Chelsea and was soon-after installed as the assistant to the U23 coach Joe Edwards.

In 2018, Myers was appointed as coach of Chelsea’s U18 team and a season later he was promoted to the U23 Squad as head coach, where he has overseen the latest batch of youngsters coming through ever since.

With one of the highest Premier League wage bills, it is even more important that the club can develop young talent.

Stadium

Until the 2019-20 season, the U23 team played most of their matches at Aldershot’s Electrical Services Stadium, originally named the Recreation Ground.

Since then, the team has moved its base for matches to Kingsmeadow, the former home of Kingstonian Football Club. The ground hosted its first match in 1989 and has a capacity of 4,850, with 2,265 seats.

In 2017 Chelsea bought the stadium from AFC Wimbledon, who owned the lease. With ownership secured, Chelsea’s aim was to eventually move several of its teams to play there, and the ground is also home to Chelsea’s women’s team.

Both the U23 and U18 teams do occasionally use the club’s home ground Stamford Bridge for some of their bigger games and must host at least three games there each season.

This is to help young players acclimatise themselves to the experience of playing senior football.

Honours

The U23 team has enjoyed some significant success in recent years, winning the league on two separate occasions. Their inaugural triumph was in 2013/14, when officially labelled an U21 side.

After the creation of the Premier League 2 however, Chelsea achieved further glory in 2020. That season was unfortunately curtailed by Coronavirus but Chelsea were still declared champions with the highest points per game average.

Yet it is the U18 team that has experienced the greater success, sweeping all before them for much of the past decade, most notably when they won the FA Youth Cup seven times in nine years between 2009 and 2018, including five successive triumphs from 2014 to 2018.

The mini-Blues were also U18 Premier League champions on two occasions during this period, Southern Champions on three occasions, and won the UEFA Youth League in 2015 and 2016.

*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

• Chelsea Women was formed in 1992 and has been associated with the men’s team since 2004

• They have won the Super League on four occasions, doing a double in each of those seasons

• Read below for more on the history of Chelsea Women, the club’s honours and its star players

Chelsea are one of the biggest clubs in Premier League odds. In recent years, Chelsea Women have reached a similar standing, lifting numerous trophies and becoming a force to reckoned with in England and beyond.

Chelsea Women haven’t always been linked to the men’s club, however, and they were founded almost 90 years after. Women’s football is going from strength to strength, but the journey has not been easy.

While Stamford Bridge was witnessing some of the best midfielders in Premier League history, Chelsea Women only became full professionals in 2015.

With one of the best managers in the world and an array of international stars, Chelsea Women have shot to prominence in the last few seasons.

While there are plenty of familiar names and faces at the club, let’s take a deeper look at their history and success.

History

Founded in 1992 because of Chelsea fans’ desire to have a women’s team, the club was initially under the name ‘Chelsea Ladies Football Club’. In 2004, the club voted to be funded and run by Chelsea's Football in the Community organisation.

That was a turning point in the club’s history. The following campaign saw the Blues promoted from the Southern Division to the top flight (then called the Premier League National Division). They have stuck in the top tier of English football ever since.

George Michealas, who had been in charge for four years, was fired just a few weeks into the 2005-06 campaign. Shaun Gore took over from Michealas though he was unable to improve their fortunes.

Chelsea finished bottom of the league, and only avoided relegation through a playoff.

Finishing eighth in the next season, Chelsea and Gore embarked on a squad overhaul. Casey Stoney, Eni Aluko and Siobhan Chamberlain arrived, as did Lorrie Fair. The Blues made an improvement in 2007-08, finishing fifth.

Another managerial change saw the Blues bring in Arsenal Women’s reserve team coach Steve Jones along with a couple of players from their London rivals.

Chelsea then lost players to Women’s Professional Soccer and retirement, and Stoney  became player/manager. Matt Beard came in as manager for 2009-10, but there were cuts to the club’s funding, which had to be offset by John Terry and others.

Chelsea Women were one of the founding members of the Women’s Super League. They even hosted the first ever WSL fixture.

Beard took them to their first cup final – which ended in defeat – before resigning. He was replaced by Emma Hayes, who fought through a difficult first few seasons to take the club full-time in 2014 and professional in 2015.

The 2014 campaign saw Chelsea miss out on the league title on goal difference and qualify for the Champions League for the first time.

The club won its first FA Cup in 2015 and followed it up with a league and cup double. In the same year, they reached the Champions League semi-finals for the first time.

A rebrand to ‘Chelsea Football Club Women’ came in 2018, and the success continued to roll in under the peerless Hayes. Yet to win a Champions League, the Blues reached their first final in 2021, but fell 4-0 to Barcelona Femeni.

Stadium

Chelsea Women play their home matches at Kingsmeadow in Kingston upon Thames. Sharing the ground with Chelsea Under-23s, Chelsea Women have only been using the venue since 2017.

Despite initially having a capacity of just under 6,300, renovations and safety restrictions keep the current capacity to 4,850.

Kingstonian called Kingsmeadow home from 1989 through to 2017, while AFC Wimbledon used the ground from their 2002 founding until they moved on to Plough Lane in 2020.

Best Players

It’s no surprise that Chelsea Women have some of the highest paid female footballers. From the days of Eni Aluko, Lianne Sanderson and Anita Asante to the stars of the 2020s, Chelsea has been home to elite talent.

Karen Carney, England’s second-most capped player, finished her career in blue. Ellen White started out at Chelsea before joining Leeds, and top scored for the club in three consecutive seasons.

The current Chelsea squad is among the best in world football. Fran Kirby has twice been named PFA Player of the Year, collecting an impressive collection of medals along the way.

Kirby is accompanied by international teammates Bethany England and Millie Bright as well as recent arrival Lauren James.

To build such a collection of elite players, though, the Blues have recruited from all over the world, including two-time UEFA Player of the Year winner Pernille Harder and vice-captain Magdalena Eriksson.

Sam Kerr is perhaps the biggest name of all. The Australian won the WSL Golden Boot in 2020-21 and has long been considered one of the best players in the world.

Honours

Chelsea are the most successful team in WSL history. They have been pretty much a sure-fire bet in the Emma Hayes era, competing on multiple fronts for silverware.

Just as the men’s team ascended in Premier League predictions following Roman Abramovich’s investment, Chelsea Women have flourished since turning professional.

Let’s take a look at the club’s major honours.

• Women’s Super League – 2015, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2020-21

• FA Cup – 2014-15, 2017-18

• League Cup – 2019-20, 2020-21

• Community Shield – 2020

*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*