Comeback season

Development squad midfielder Xavier Simons spent the COVID year in 2020 recovering from a long-term knee injury. He explains here what it was like to recover from a setback like this.

‘Being at home helped me a lot,' he says. 'The support from my parents, the coaching staff, it was key to my recovery.

'It was a similar situation four years prior, so I knew the process already. The most difficult part of it all was not being able to walk properly and getting used to walking again.'

Simons' comeback led to him being ready for this new season and Andy Myers deemed him ready to captain the side officially.

‘Being captain is a huge achievement for me, especially considering how young I am. Before each game I try to ensure the boys are ready and know the task at hand. My job as captain is to perform and instil belief on the pitch and be an exemplary individual.’

After slowly easing his way back into the side, the 18-year-old has has been involved in eight of the 12 games to have been played by our development squad this season. He has two assists to his name in that time.

Lewis Baker influence and Brighton on Friday

‘I want to add a lot more goals to my game, as I believe I can do that for the team. The gaffer Andy Myers has helped tremendously to become a box-to-box midfielder, so I think adding goals can take my game to a new level.’

Simons' partner in midfield has regularly been Lewis Baker this season and this fairly new partnership is one Simons is grateful for.

‘Lewis is a top guy. He helps me a lot on the pitch and off it. He is like a big brother. I have the chance to learn from one of the very best. I try to model my game on Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, as I see similarities between my game and theirs. Lewis definitely helps in making me see how I can improve and become senior professionals like them.'

Brighton will be a tough test for our young Blues and although the Seagulls are seeking their first win in four, they are still only seven points off the top of the table.

You can catch Xavier Simons lead out the side, on Friday evening at Kingsmeadow with kick-off scheduled for 7pm, or on our live stream which you can access through our website or the 5th Stand app.

Brighton's last five PL2 results:

Crystal Palace (h) - won 2-1Leeds United (a) - draw 1-1Manchester City (h) - draw 1-1Tottenham (h) - draw 1-1Everton (a) - lost 2-1

On Saturday, Ed Brand and his team face Derby County in our final game of Group D in the Under-18 Premier League Cup. Our boys have been excellent throughout the group stages and play the Rams with the prospect of securing the group winners spot having safely secured passage into the next round of the competition following two 3-2 victories over Blackburn Rovers and Reading.

There will also be a live stream of this game from 10.25am on the official Chelsea website and the 5th Stand app with kick-off scheduled at 10.30am.