George has been with Chelsea since Under-8s level and earlier this season made his senior Blues debut when he came on against Servette in the second leg of our UEFA Conference League play-off match in Geneva.

The 18-year-old is one of many exciting talents to come through our Academy and he has now made five senior appearances in the Conference League and Carabao Cup, while also starring for Filipe Coelho's Under-21s squad.

For the fourth of those games for the men's team - also a European away trip, a 4-1 win over Panathinaikos in Athens - the England Under-19 international shared a changing room with another of our substitutes that night, Sancho, who he had first met when the former Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund youngster was himself only 17 and starting to attract attention with his own exciting performances.

'I think most Chelsea fans have seen that picture as it's somehow resurfaced again!' George laughed. 'That picture was taken years ago and I had no idea I would be playing with him back then.

'I was with my dad and brother on our way to training when we saw Jadon with his friends. My dad suggested we ask for a picture and I was nervous but excited to do it. I’ve always admired Jadon as he is such a great player.

'It’s crazy and surreal to think I am now playing with someone I’ve always looked up to - not just Jadon, but the rest of the Chelsea squad. It makes me speechless. Sometimes when I look around in the changing room with the team, I still can’t believe this is my life right now.

'Seeing the picture is a nice reminder of how far I have come and how my hard work has paid off. I have given everything since joining Chelsea and it’s a good feeling to see the outcome.'

Having spent a decade in the Academy, George has seen many Cobham graduates progress to the first team, including Chelsea captain Reece James and England defender Levi Colwill.

Those figures provide valuable insight for Academy players such as George about what their future could hold – and now he is training alongside them regularly under the guidance of first-team head coach Enzo Maresca.

'I worked hard to prepare for this moment in my career,' George says. 'The experiences I’ve had training, travelling and playing in matches for the men’s team feel surreal.

'It’s something everyone dreams of and to have already had those moments is a crazy feeling. Seeing other players come through the Academy and succeed only makes you want it more.'

Big moments have continued to come thick and fast for George. Just last week he was handed his first start by Maresca for our Conference League match against Noah, which ended in an emphatic 8-0 victory for the Blues at Stamford Bridge.

‘It was a great game and I really, really enjoyed it,' he beamed after the win over Noah. 'To start for Chelsea, my boyhood club, was a great feeling.

‘I knew I was starting a few hours before. Enzo [Maresca] was going through the line-up and said my name. I was excited and couldn’t wait to make a good impression for the fans and for the head coach.

‘There were a few nerves, of course, but the excitement goes above the nerves and I was just excited to get on the pitch and show what I could do.’

Although George is living out his dream by playing for our senior side, he knows there is still a lot more work to do if he is to fulfil his potential.

'I want to get more games with the men's team and am eager to contribute, whether that means getting an assist or scoring a goal,' he said. 'I just want to enjoy every chance I get because opportunities like this don’t come around often. If my younger self could see me now, he wouldn't believe how far I have come, and hopefully what’s to come!

'I would tell that young boy who just joined Chelsea's Academy to keep working hard and enjoy the journey, as you never know how far you can go. There are great opportunities here and if you put in the effort, anything is possible.

'I look forward to continuing my time at the club and hopefully I can show people what I am capable of.'