The young Blues were guaranteed a home draw after finishing top of their group with victories over Oxford United and Leyton Orient, with Lewis Hall and Omari Hutchinson among the goals for Mark Robinson’s side in those games.

Peterborough, who currently sit fourth in League One, were visitors to SW6 in the EFL Trophy back in January 2019. Billy Gilmour, Conor Gallagher and Tino Anjorin featured for Joe Edwards’s side that night but it was a 3-1 win for the visitors, with Ivan Toney netting.

The Posh also came to the Bridge in January 2017 for a tie in the FA Cup third round, with Pedro, Michy Batshuayi and Willian on the scoresheet in a 4-1 Chelsea victory. Their current ranks are bolstered by on-loan Blues goalkeeper Lucas Bergstrom, who has made 21 appearances in all competitions.

Teams are still drawn on a regionalised basis up to the quarter-finals in this competition so Robinson knew his side would face a fairly local opponent prior to the draw being made on Friday evening.

With Premier League 2 action concluded for the calendar year due to the World Cup break, the Papa Johns Trophy knockout round represents the final action for our Under-21s before Christmas, with the last-32 scheduled to take place in the week commencing 21 November.

Further fixture and ticket information will be announced on this website in due course.

In other Academy news, teenage goalkeeper Max Merrick has signed his first professional contract at the club, committing himself to the Blues until the summer of 2025. Meanwhile, defender Alex Kpakpe has left the club after four years and we wish him the best of luck for the future.

EFL Trophy last-32 draw in full:

Bolton Wanderers vs Barrow
Everton U21s vs Mansfield Town
Salford City vs Bradford City
Port Vale vs Barnsley
Man United U21s vs Wolves U21s
Grimsby Town vs Accrington Stanley
Burton Albion vs Tranmere Rovers
Lincoln City vs Morecambe

Colchester United vs Bristol Rovers
Stevenage vs Arsenal U21s
AFC Wimbledon vs Sutton United
MK Dons vs Newport County
Ipswich Town vs Portsmouth
Forest Green Rovers vs Cheltenham Town
Plymouth Argyle vs Charlton Athletic
Chelsea U21s vs Peterborough United