As the October international break comes to a close and players turn their focus back to club football, Under-18s goalkeeper Sands was one of the Chelsea players who remained at Cobham during that period, working hard to continue his progression ahead of the team's next fixture against Reading on Saturday.

Having joined the club as an Under-8, Sands reflected on his career so far, from joining as a young boy to signing his scholarship with the club in July.

'Being at Chelsea is the best job in the world,' Sands smiled. 'I love coming into the training ground every day, surrounded by the best players and the best coaches. It’s the perfect environment to develop and become the best I can be.

'Growing up at the club has allowed me to develop not only as a player but also as a person. There’s a special connection here and it’s amazing to say I’ve worked my way up from the training pitches to playing for the Under-18s.

'It’s been a great experience and I’ve learned so much along the way, creating so many good memories. Being here from such a young age and going through different stages of my life, the support has always been there.

'At Cobham the physios and doctors are top. When I went through a period of injury, they were really helpful and supportive. The facilities are the best they could be and we have all the recovery equipment and staff to help us stay at our best.

'I’m lucky to say I’ve been at this club since the start and been given the opportunity to be where I think is the best place to be.'

In football, there’s a term well known among players - the “goalkeepers’ union”, referring to net-minders' habit of supporting team-mates despite competition for places and even opponents across club rivalries. Sands gives insight into the relationships between himself and his fellow Blues, both goalkeepers and outfield, and why those relationships have helped him throughout his time here.

'I've always wanted to be a keeper. I love helping the team and I like the responsibility of being the one to beat. There’s something thrilling about that pressure. While some players struggle with the demands and intensity it brings, I enjoy staying calm and composed.

'As I’ve gotten older, I’ve embraced the challenge, knowing that I can change the game with a single save. It’s a great feeling when you do and make a difference.

'My style as a keeper is calm and composed, especially in possession, which I consider one of my main strengths. But when it’s needed, I can be aggressive. It’s important to have both sides of the character, composure and aggression, so you can adjust to different situations. That’s what makes a reliable keeper.

'People often joke about the goalkeepers’ union, but here at Chelsea we’re a tight group. We know each other inside out and push each other to be the best we can. Having that supportive network helps push our performances.'

Looking back at his career as a Blue, Sands points to one highlight from his time here which had a lasting impact, from before he signed his scholarship with the club at the start of the 2024/25 season.

'One of my stand-out moments was during my Under-15s season at the Kevin De Bruyne Cup. That was a high-pressure competition and it was one of the performances where I showed my strengths. I even won the Goalkeeper of the Tournament trophy!

'That tournament also made me discover I love knockout competitions and high-intensity games. You have one chance to make an impression and every single detail counts. As a team we’re looking forward to starting the FA Youth Cup. We know the club’s history in winning that trophy, so hopefully we can do the same this year.'

Reflecting on his development not only as a player but as a young adult, Sands looks ahead to his personal goals as the current campaign unfolds in his first full-time season in youth football as a scholar.

'Since joining the Under-18s this season, I’ve learned that the thing driving us forward is our team bond. Sometimes we don’t play as well as we’d like, but when we stick together and stay united, we fight for each other. That bond is stronger than any individual performance and it pushes us to go further.

'We didn’t start this season as well as we wanted, but we’re growing and improving with every game. The results are starting to come and we’re working hard together. Recently, we’ve been getting the results we deserve and we’re confident that will continue.

'As for my personal goals, I want to help us win the Under-18 Premier League southern title, just like we did last season. If we keep working hard and getting results, I don’t see why we can’t compete for it.'

Hassan Sulaiman’s young squad has been collecting positive results, with three back-to-back wins, including an impressive 6-2 victory against top-of-the-table Aston Villa, while Saturday’s opponents Reading have had a difficult start to the season, picking up two draws from six games.

'Our coach, Hass, has been huge in keeping the group united and helping us get the best out of ourselves since the start of the season.

'He understands our strengths and expects us to give everything in every training session. Now, we’re showing him why we deserve to be in his team and, hopefully, we can do the same again this Saturday.

'The upcoming fixture at Cobham is exciting because we love playing in front of our family, friends and staff. It’s going to be a tough test, but we’re buzzing with the recent form we’ve had. We’re motivated and ready to get the three points.'

Watch our young Blues in action

Supporters worldwide can watch our Under-18 Premier League fixture at Cobham on Saturday morning via the official Chelsea app and website. Follow the Chelsea U18 vs Reading U18 Match Centre for the live stream, free of charge. The match is scheduled to kick off at 11am.