Chelsea’s Under 23 Development Squad will face Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City at the EBB Stadium this season as the new Premier League 2 is launched.
The young Blues begin their campaign with a home game against Liverpool on Monday 22 August, and will then host Manchester United on Friday 9 December, with City visiting the EBB Stadium on Friday 17 February.
Chelsea also welcome Derby County, Reading, Sunderland and Everton Under 23 to the EBB Stadium throughout the season.
Replacing the Under 21 Barclays Premier League, the new Premier League 2 is for players under the age of 23 (born on or after 1 January 1993), with up to three over-age outfield players and one over-age goalkeeper permitted in a matchday squad. Premier League 2 will be split into two 12-club tiers, with each team playing each other home and away.
Chelsea are also once again competing in the Premier League International Cup, featuring 12 English clubs alongside 12 of Europe’s best academies, and face GNK Dinamo Zagreb on Friday 16 December, before Swansea City arrive at the EBB Stadium on Thursday 22 December.
Managed by Adi Viveash, the Development Squad has recently seen several players graduate to the first-team squad. The Blues’ Academy have won the UEFA Youth League in each of the last two seasons as well as the FA Youth Cup in four of the last five years.
Current Chelsea fixtures confirmed for the EBB Stadium are:
Monday 22 August, 7.05pm: Liverpool (Premier League 2)
Monday 24 October, 7.05pm: Derby County (Premier League 2)
Friday 9 December, 7.05pm: Manchester United (Premier League 2)
Friday 16 December, 7.05pm: GNK Dinamo Zagreb (Premier League International Cup)
Thursday 22 December, 7.05pm: Swansea City (Premier League International Cup)
Friday 3 February, 7.05pm: Reading (Premier League 2)
Friday 17 February, 7.05pm: Manchester City (Premier League 2)
Monday 7 April, 7.05pm: Sunderland (Premier League 2)
Monday 21 April, 7.05pm: Everton (Premier League 2)
Unless otherwise stated, admission to all Chelsea Academy games are £3 for adults and £1 for concessions. Please check this website, or Aldershot Town’s Facebook and Twitter pages, for updates before travelling.
