Coelho is excited for the weekend opener on home turf. He believes his team is ready to return to action after using the recent international break to assess individual performances more closely.

They will do so against Brentford at midday on Sunday, and you can watch the game live for free on the official Chelsea website and app.

• Find out how to watch Chelsea Under-21s vs Brentford live for free

Following a successful outing in our last match, when the Blues secured our first victory of the 2024/25 season with a 3-1 win over Middlesbrough, our Under-21s head coach feels this success will boost his players' confidence and drive them to build a winning streak.

'The international break was a valuable period for the boys,' said Coelho. 'We were able to delve deeper into individual performances. We focused heavily on strength and conditioning, taking the time for one-on-one discussions with the players.

'For those who represented their countries, the quick turnaround can sometimes be a challenge. However, it will be a good opportunity to see how they adapt and maintain their momentum after being away.

'It’s pleasing to see the boys' hard work being recognised beyond the club as they represented their countries. It's a great experience that gives them a sense of playing against different opponents on a new stage.

'We’ve had a couple of full days to prepare with everyone back and we’ve closely examined the team to see how we can reach our full potential to get the results we’re aiming for.

'I’m looking forward to seeing the confidence and positive aspects from the Middlesbrough fixture flow into this match. Despite the pause, I’m hopeful that the good elements of our play will continue and further develop.'

Coelho also emphasised the importance of mentality, explaining that it can be a key factor in determining the outcome of a game. Since taking charge of the team, he has noticed a growing sense of confidence among his players, which he believes will benefit them in the upcoming match.

'Confidence is always crucial when approaching any fixture. Although we played this side during pre-season and got a positive result, we must treat this match like any other. We have to keep fighting and maintain a positive mentality if we want to perform at our best and achieve the results we’re after.

'In the pre-season fixture against Brentford, we showed that we can put on a good performance, but this is a different story now that we’re in a cup competition. Just because we secured the victory last time doesn’t mean this will be a smooth fixture.

'As the season progresses, I’m confident we’ll see everything come together even more, and we’ll demonstrate the dominant and bold side we know we are capable of. It’s important that the team grows collectively, not just individually.'

While Coelho believes the previous match provides some insight into what to expect, he stresses that his team cannot rely on it and must remain focused and work hard for this cup opener.

'Last time we faced Brentford we put on a strong performance and secured five goals. That result certainly gives the boys a boost, knowing they can deliver a dominant display. Without a doubt, they’ll be eager to replicate that performance.

'We’ve also taken the time to go deeper into our analysis since the Middlesbrough game, dissecting the footage to ensure we build on the positives while addressing any areas where we’re slightly weaker.

'Brentford will undoubtedly provide a good test for us, but we’re prepared for the challenge.'

Support the next generation

Tickets for the Premier League Cup opener at Kingsmeadow are still available, with adult tickets priced at £7 and junior/senior tickets at £5.

If you can't attend the match in person, you can watch the match for free via the live stream in the Chelsea Under-21s vs Brentford Match Centre on the official Chelsea website and app.