Speaking to us at Cobham, Coelho, who joined the Blues after a successful season coaching at Estoril in Portugal, highlighted how the support and community feeling our Academy has made his arrival easier than expected.

He also reflected on the previous coaching experiences that led him to Chelsea – and explained the crucial characteristics he believes made a successful development squad, which he hopes to display in his first season here.

Filipe, how are you settling in here at Cobham?

‘I have been settling in well. It’s amazing how quickly I already feel at home! Since arriving it has been very busy, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.

‘My first couple of days involved seeing new faces, learning new names, having many meetings, and connecting with all the departments. I think it’s important to get to know everyone, as every single person and department has an impact on a player’s development.

‘It has been an incredible start and I couldn’t have asked for a smoother and more welcoming arrival. It’s a great feeling to be here.’

What have been your early impressions of the Chelsea Academy?

‘I am speechless. As soon as I walked through the doors, I felt the family environment throughout the building. It makes such a difference.

‘In the past couple of weeks, I have got to know my team and other coaching staff, and I am lucky to be surrounded by such a professional and great group of people.

‘Actually, that isn’t only with the Under-21s, but throughout the Academy building. As I have mentioned, everyone has made me feel welcome and at home so quickly.

‘Of course, I knew the standards of the club before making the move, but the quality throughout the club has been beyond expectations and everything has delivered more.’

Being from Portugal, how have you found moving abroad into a new environment here in England?

‘It is always difficult to move abroad on your own, but this is such a great club with great people, it’s made the transition a lot easier and less daunting.

'I have had great support surrounding me and ensuring I am as settled as I can be, which means a great deal to me.’

Having over a decade of youth football experience, what have you learned during that time about player development?

‘Over the course of my previous experience, I have introduced my own ideas and plans, and it’s great to see the club accept and be on board with these visions.

‘My new ideas are an open door for everyone. They may be something that they have not experienced before but connecting my ideas with what has already been in place, it’s exciting and there is a good balance.

‘Staff and players have been on board and willing to support my ideas, so I am very grateful and excited to see them progress and come to life.’

What have you learned from your previous roles that can help you here at Chelsea?

‘Having previous experience in academy football has allowed me to understand the success of developing a player and the different attributes in the process.

‘Being in a similar environment at Benfica, I learned the importance of working with each department to get the best out of the player. Being at Chelsea, with the different opportunities and facilities, it’s crucial to make the most out of it.

‘Since joining the club – particularly in the past week or so – we have been focusing on the psychological mindset of the players, which I believe is incredibly important from my past experience.

‘Making sure they are mentally ready to take that next step, face challenges and want to grow as a player on and off the pitch is crucial.

'Even down to body language, how they communicate with others and how they hold themselves during training. They're all important characteristics that I believe develop an academy player.’

What are you most looking forward to developing this season?

‘There is so much to look forward to. I think for now, I’m looking forward to how we reach the first match of the season and putting together everything we have worked on during pre-season.

‘We want to show a clear way of playing. We want to be dominant, but I want to see the real Chelsea way in our players. I want to see character, hunger and the players giving their all on and off the pitch.’