Since entering the Premier League Cup, we've shown fight at every stage. From defeating Brentford, Bournemouth and Derby County in the group stage to a hard-fought victory over Ipswich Town in the last-16, this competition has already shown our determination.

One of our Under-21s players who truly understands the importance of maintaining that mentality is defender Samuels-Smith. He has been pivotal in all seven cup games, providing two assists and captaining the side three times, including during our dramatic 2-1 win over Ipswich at Kingsmeadow, sealed by a last-minute winner.

'I'm feeling good,' the 18-year-old said. 'We’ve been consistent throughout this competition. As a team, we’re confident in our ability to get the job done. We just need to stay focused and give our all on the day.

'We've shown strength, not just in the knockout rounds, but also in our league performances. We have the quality to win and take on any challenge. To keep achieving, we need to maintain that same level of commitment and focus every step of the way.

'Every game is crucial, especially now as we approach the final stretch of the season. In a knockout competition, every second counts. There’s no room for error. We only get one chance to prove what we’re capable of, and we have to make it count.'

On Friday night, our Under-21s stepped onto the big stage at Stamford Bridge to face Aston Villa in the Premier League 2, with Samuels-Smith netting our early opening goal in a 4-1 win. Attention has quickly switched to Monday's quarter-final, though, with a quick turnaround between matches.

'We’ve been training hard,' Samuels-Smith added. 'Every session is an opportunity to improve and every gym session and recovery period plays a vital role in making sure we’re as sharp as possible.

'As always, we’re focusing on the small details. Preparation is everything. We have to push ourselves to be better every day. Every player knows that to achieve our squad goals, we must work together and give everything, whether in training or in matches.'

Since the start of the year, Samuels-Smith has captained the team nine times across both Premier League 2 and Premier League Cup fixtures. He’s also been part of the Chelsea Academy’s leadership programme, learning from club legend John Terry about the qualities and characteristics needed to captain the Blues.

'I’ve really enjoyed wearing the armband,' he said. 'It’s something I take a lot of pride in, but it also comes with responsibility. Leading by example, both on and off the pitch, is key.

'As captain, my role is to bring the team together, motivate everyone and help each player give their best. It’s about strengthening the team. Being in this leadership role has taught me so much, not just about football but about life.

'One thing Filipe [Coelho] has emphasised since joining is the importance of relationships off the pitch. Strengthening our bond as a team has helped us improve.'

This season, the defender has also gained valuable experience with the men’s team under Enzo Maresca, featuring in the matchday squad against Aston Villa and Southampton in the Premier League, as well as Brighton in the FA Cup.

'This season has been a massive learning curve. Training with the men’s team and being part of the matchday squad has been huge for me personally. Those experiences are invaluable. They’ve shown me the level of intensity and quality required to perform consistently at the highest level.

'It’s motivating as it pushes me to raise my game. Ultimately, that’s where I want to be, challenging myself every week at that level. The most valuable part is bringing those lessons back to the Under-21s.

'Training with the men’s team gives us a benchmark. It’s made me and the rest of the boys who’ve had similar experiences approach our Academy matches with a higher intensity. That makes it much harder for our opponents to cope with us.'

Now, all the focus is on our clash with the Clarets. In this competition, Burnley secured wins against Brighton, Luton and Reading in the group stage before reaching the quarter-finals by beating Sheffield United. Their performances have already shown they be will difficult opponents, but Samuels-Smith and the Blues are determined to go as far as they can in this competition.

'We all have the goal of progressing to the semi-finals and ultimately the final,' Samuels-Smith concluded. 'Reaching those stages would be a huge achievement for us.

'It would be a testament to the hard work we’ve put into this competition and the season overall, but we have to take it one game at a time. We can’t get ahead of ourselves.

'Burnley will be a tough opponent, we know it’s going to be a battle. It’s going to be a high-energy, action-packed game, but we’re ready for it. Every game at this stage brings added pressure. However, we’re embracing it. We’re prepared for whatever comes our way.

'We appreciate all the support we’ve received so far, not just from the Academy but from the supporters. It gives us so much extra confidence and drive going into these games. It pushes us to give our best every time we step on the pitch. We want to make sure that when the final whistle blows, our fans are proud of the performance they’ve seen.'