How old are Harvey Vale, Jude Soonsup-Bell and Xavier Simons?

Vale (pictured top) is one of the oldest in his age group, having recently celebrated his 18th birthday in mid-September. He marked the occasion with a goal for our development squad against Manchester City. Soonsup-Bell needs to wait until January to turn 18 but Simons is the oldest of the three, having had his 18th birthday back in February.Soonsup-Bell played and scored in the FA Youth Cup when it got underway for the young Blues earlier this month with a 4-1 third-round victory over Leyton Orient. Vale is still eligible for the competition.Vale has trained with Thomas Tuchel's senior squad on a number of occasions this term prior to this week and has been an unused substitute.

What positions do Harvey Vale, Jude Soonsup-Bell and Xavier Simons play?

‘I’ve played mostly in an attacking midfield role and that’s where I feel most effective,’ Vale told us in an interview earlier in the season. However, the youngster has demonstrated adaptability throughout his fledgling career, starting out as a left-back before moving further forward.Growing up at Fulham, he even had a go in goal during a game against Watford and kept a clean sheet, though his primary skills are more suited to an outfield role.In recent years, he has featured as a wing-back for our Academy sides, though his most effective work comes as one of the attacking support cast.An adaptable player, Soonsup-Bell played in a midfield role when he first joined Chelsea but it was not too long before he was playing as a forward, the position in which he made his bow for the Chelsea Under-18s in the 2019/20 season.Simons is a tough-tackling midfielder whose roles this season for the development squad have included right-back and right wing-back.

Where were Vale, Soonsup-Bell and Simons born and how long have they been at Chelsea?

Vale was born in Haywards Heath, a town in West Sussex not far from Gatwick Airport. Soonsup-Bell’s birthplace was Chippenham in the west of England. Simons is London-born, from Hammersmith, not far from Stamford Bridge or Brentford’s stadium.After spending his early youth career at Fulham, Vale was scouted and signed by the Blues as an Under-13, making the switch across town in 2016.Soonsup-Bell joined Chelsea as an Under-13 after leaving Swindon Town’s academy.Xavier Simons joined Chelsea in 2016 from tonight’s opponents Brentford after the Bees made the decision to close their academy programme.

How tall are Harvey Vale, Soonsup-Bell and Simons?

There aren’t many outfielders in the Academy taller than Vale, who has shot up in recent years and currently clocks in at just over 6ft (185.5cm). Soonsup-Bell comes in at the slightly shorter 1.84m. Simons is 1.83m.

What are their contractual situations?

Vale signed his first professional contract at the club at the earliest opportunity, on his 17th birthday, which commits him to Stamford Bridge up to the summer of 2023. That is the longest term for a maiden football deal.Soonsup-Bell also signed his first professional contract on his 17th birthday in January 2021, again keeping him at Chelsea until the summer of 2023. Simons’ current contract runs until the summer of 2022.

What are their records for our Academy teams this season?

In the current campaign, Vale has seven goals in 23 games. Soonsup-Bell has played 21 times this season and has five goals. Simons’ age means he plays for the development squad and Under-19s for whom he has a combined 16 games and one goal.

What squad numbers do they wear?

Vale currently has the number 68 on the back of his shirt. At the start of each season, all Academy players are designated a shirt number ahead of their involvement in the EFL Trophy, which is treated as a senior competition. For Soonsup-Bell that number is 64 and Simons sports 54.

Which international teams do they represent?

All England youth internationals, Vale and Soonsup-Bell most recently have played for the Three Lions at Under-19s level. Simons scored on his debut for England Under-17s. Injury last season may have prevented him moving up an age group.

In his own words, read more about Vale’s football upbringing here!