Alfie Gilchrist: A True Blue Story

Chelsea‘s young talent, Alfie Gilchrist, is set to make his mark in the FA Cup fourth-round tie against Aston Villa tonight. Having already impressed fans with his debut appearance for Chelsea, the 20-year-old reveals his deep attachment to the club in an exclusive interview in the matchday programme.

Gilchrist comes from a family of diehard Chelsea supporters, with his grandfather and father holding season tickets. He recalls watching the club’s iconic Champions League win in his uncle’s living room and shares an interesting anecdote about how his dad played a football video game before his birth, creating a player named after him who represented Chelsea.

The programme also pays tribute to Tommy Baldwin, a Chelsea FA Cup hero from 1970, who sadly passed away recently after a long illness. The tribute piece captures Baldwin’s personality, on and off the field, and highlights his influential role in the dressing room filled with terrace idols.

In other Chelsea news, Mark Robinson, the head coach of the Chelsea Under-21s, is optimistic about the team’s recent momentum as they face Reading in the Premier League 2 at Kingsmeadow. The Under-21s have been in good form since the Christmas break, recording victories against Manchester United and Colchester United. Robinson acknowledges the need for squad rotation to aid individual development while maintaining team cohesion.

Robinson emphasizes the importance of sustained momentum in winning games across different age groups. He praises the seamless integration of players stepping up from different squads due to their shared values and playing style. As the team progresses, Robinson aims to improve the defensive side of the game and emphasizes the importance of keeping clean sheets.