The Chelsea Under-18s coach, Hassan Sulaiman, has called on his team to use their recent loss to Crystal Palace as a springboard for growth as they prepare for a promising 2025.
The Blues ended their year with a tough 4-2 defeat in a London derby despite a commanding first-half performance that saw them leading 2-0 at halftime.
Goals from Olutayo Subuloye and Frankie Runham highlighted their dominance early on, but a spirited second-half comeback from Palace turned the tide.
Reflecting on the match, Sulaiman acknowledged the challenges but maintained a positive outlook, citing valuable lessons for his young squad.
“We started the game brilliantly,” Sulaiman said. “Our control in possession and two excellent goals gave us confidence. But Palace’s second-half aggression exposed our inexperience, and we didn’t respond as effectively as we should have.”
The Blues fielded a youthful side, with schoolboys and first-year scholars making up a significant portion of the squad. Notable debuts included Freddie Bernal in goal and Walter Nutter at full-back, both stepping up from the U16s.
“We’re a very young team, and games like this highlight areas we need to improve,” Sulaiman remarked. “It’s part of the development process.”
Despite the loss, Sulaiman highlighted moments of growth and resilience.
“We created chances to regain control, even after conceding, and the team’s overall improvement since the start of the season has been encouraging,” he added.
The festive break offers Chelsea’s U18s a chance to regroup, analyze their performance, and return stronger for their January 11 clash against West Bromwich Albion. With reflection as a cornerstone of their approach, Sulaiman remains confident in the potential of his young charges.
“The key is to take these setbacks and turn them into stepping stones,” he said. “This team has shown they’re willing to learn, and that’s the most important thing for their development.”
