It is more than two weeks since our Under-21s last took to the pitch, for a 2-1 win over Bournemouth in the Premier League Cup, when a late winner from Frankie Runham followed Kiano Dyer’s stunning goal. That victory ensured we ended 2024 on a high note.

After a brief pause for the festive season and New Year, Chelsea Under-21s are eager to get back on the pitch. With progression to the knockout stages of the Premier League International Cup and a quarter-final spot within reach, the team is ready to carry our momentum into this crucial phase of the competition, having gone into the winter break on the back of three wins from our previous four matches.

The Blues will play on home turf at Kingsmeadow in our next game at 7pm on Tuesday evening, hosting a Sporting Lisbon side which sits level with us on points in second place in Group D. However, the Portuguese team holds a slight edge on goal advantage.

Both teams know the stakes. A Chelsea victory would secure us second place in the group, ensuring our progression to the next stage and keeping alive our hopes of going all the way to lift the trophy for the first time. Anything other than a Blues win and our campaign will be over, and it will be Sporting who join group winners Brighton in the quarter-finals.

'We're in a good place,' Coelho began. 'Hopefully, the work we’ve been putting in before and throughout Christmas will show. Even with a busy January ahead, which includes the transfer window - a time when some players may go on loan, potentially disrupting preparation - we are embracing this challenge. It’s a real opportunity for us to strengthen the connection within the team.

'We’ve had many players training with the men’s team during the period without fixtures, which has been fantastic for keeping motivation high. I hope we can carry that momentum forward and have the perfect start to 2025.'

Not only is this game highly anticipated with everything on the line, but it holds even greater significance for our Portuguese head coach. Coelho joined Chelsea in the pre-season of summer 2024, following a successful spell at Estoril, but previously built an impressive career at Sporting Lisbon's fierce city rivals Benfica.

He began his journey in Benfica’s youth set-up in 2006, steadily working his way up from assistant coach of the Under-14s to becoming the Under-19s head coach for the 2022/23 campaign. His time there gave him first-hand knowledge of the threat they will pose for his Chelsea Under-21s side on Tuesday evening.

The 39-year-old continued: 'I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say Sporting will probably be our toughest challenge of the season so far. They are a very good side, not just because I know them better than the other teams in the Premier League International Cup and in England, but because they really are a quality team.

'In terms of the table, this game is like a final for us. We need to win to progress to the knockout stage and reach the quarter-finals of the Premier League International Cup. It’s going to be a tough match for both teams, but we have to be ready for a highly competitive game. Sporting play very well both on and off the ball.

'From a personal point of view, I’m excited to go up against Sporting again. Having been at Benfica for 17 years and playing against them every season, there’s a big rivalry I’m very familiar with. During matches like these, the players understand the importance of the occasion.

'We should come out on top and progress in this competition. We are a good side and, from my perspective as a coach, it’s a privilege to face such a familiar and strong opponent. It’s exciting.'

Since the start of this European competition, the Blues have embraced the challenge of facing unfamiliar sides, bringing both excitement and valuable experience. Although we fell short against RB Leipzig, we showed resilience to bounce back with consecutive wins - first with a bold 4-0 victory over Anderlecht and then a hard-fought 2-1 win against Real Sociedad - but what would it mean for the squad to continue our journey into the knockout stages?

Coelho concluded: 'I truly believe that in these tough moments, the real character of the players and the team as a whole is revealed. It highlights the development we’ve made both on and off the pitch. It is a huge moment and we need to take it with both hands to progress further.

'This is a great moment for everyone to show we can perform at our maximum level and beat them. We want to continue our journey. This will undoubtedly be a good game. I’m glad we are in this competition to gain these valuable experiences.'

Watch the Under-21s under the lights

All supporters with a men's or women's season ticket, or a Chelsea Membership, as well as anyone under the age of 20, can claim one free ticket for our Under-21s' match against Sporting Lisbon at Kingsmeadow via their online ticket account, until midday on Monday 6 January. All other tickets can be purchased for £4 each online or, from two hours before kick-off, at the Kingsmeadow ticket office.

If you can't make it to Kingsmeadow on Tuesday, supporters worldwide can tune in to watch the game live and free of charge. The fixture, scheduled to kick off at 7pm, will be streamed on the official Chelsea app and website. To catch the action, simply visit the Chelsea Under-21s vs Sporting Lisbon Match Centre.