Andy Myers’s men will be looking for a positive start to the new season after narrowly missing out on the title last term as they head to the Lamex Stadium for a 7pm kick-off. The game can be streamed live and for free on the official Chelsea website, the 5th Stand mobile app, Facebook and YouTube.

Ahead of the curtain-raiser, attacking midfielder Harvey Vale has been looking ahead to a new start, one he hopes will offer fresh opportunities as football adjusts to post-pandemic life.

‘It’s been a bit different,’ he told us ahead of the 2021/22 opener. ‘I came back from the summer break and then got Covid after two days so I missed 13 days of pre-season and had to start all over again, which wasn’t great.

‘Normally we’re in the changing room as a group, bonding with the boys and having lunch together but we’ve missed out on all that. We just have to arrive, train and then go home so there hasn’t been much time to bond as a group.

‘People don’t always think about that side of it but team spirit off the pitch is so important and it’s hard to build when you’re not with each other all the time. It’s not what we’re used to but we’ve managed to get some game time under our belts so the boys are feeling good and looking forward to Tottenham.’

The 17-year-old made 13 appearances for the development squad last season, despite it being his first as a scholar, with the age gap particularly noticeable for a young player stepping up the groups quickly. He has featured at wing-back but feels more effective as part of the attacking support cast.

‘I transitioned a bit last season and it was tough,’ he admitted. ‘The PL2 is a really competitive league and teams are always at it because it’s only one step away from the first team. Players are constantly trying to impress so it’s always tough.

‘I’ve played mostly this pre-season in an attacking midfield role and that’s where I feel most effective. I enjoy getting on the ball in central areas and driving at teams. That’s what I’m good at and I can also help the team defensively from that position a bit more as well with the press so I really enjoy it.’

The young Blues missed out on defending their PL2 crown by a Manchester City side that lost just twice all season, while the European Under-19 UEFA Youth League was cancelled due to Covid-19.

It means there is plenty to look forward to within the Academy programme in the months ahead and Vale is excited at the challenges that are on the horizon, citing the presence of a number of graduates as part of our Champions League-winning squad as offering plenty of motivation.

‘We’re trying to claim back the title after narrowly missing out last season to a very good City team. We obviously want to win that again and then there are some other competitions like the UEFA Youth League and the EFL Trophy that we want to go as far as possible in.

‘I played 20 minutes in the EFL Trophy last season and even that was tough! They’re proper men playing against boys and they really want to give it to you so it can be difficult to cope with as a teenager.

‘Personally, if I can push on and do well with the Under-23s, any sort of first team involvement will definitely benefit my game. It’s difficult because we’re the best team in Europe right now so you have to really prove yourself but I’m willing to do that and I believe that I can.

‘There are boys there now who have proved themselves in the Academy, gone through and been given opportunities so it’s exciting and it shows that there is a pathway here if you’re good enough.’

The more immediate focus returns to tonight’s London derby against Spurs, which is quickly followed by a Stamford Bridge game against Manchester United on Friday night. Tickets for that can be purchased online now priced at just £5 for adults and £3 for senior/juniors.

‘It’s two very big games to start with so we’re buzzing about that,’ added Vale. ‘You can’t ask for a better first fixture than a derby against Tottenham so hopefully we get off to a good start and then we have Man United at the Bridge on Friday.

‘I don’t think many of us have played there before so it’s a big achievement and it will be a great experience, especially if we have a few fans there as well.’