Inside Cobham - Chelsea's Endless Talent Factory - FTS feat. Felix Johnston

In this episode of the Football Talent Show, we dive into the legacy and influence of Chelsea’s famed youth academy, Cobham. Our guest, Felix Johnston, who runs one of the largest Chelsea-focused football pages on X with nearly 200k followers, joins co-hosts Adam Lenges and Jacek Kulig—also known as @ftalentscout—to offer exclusive insights into what makes Cobham a powerhouse for developing top football talent.

We highlight pivotal moments in the academy's history, from Chelsea’s UEFA Youth League triumphs to the core principles that shape training and mindset at Cobham. Felix shines a spotlight on standout academy graduates like Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Billy Gilmour, and Connor Gallagher, while also reflecting on the challenges faced by players such as Izzy Brown and Charly Musonda, who battled injuries and setbacks. The discussion flows into the emergence of new talents like Genesis Antwi, Kiano Dyer, Tyrique George, and Ishe Samuels-Smith, and explores the hurdles young players must overcome, including physical development and resilience.

Felix adds a personal touch by sharing how Chelsea legends Didier Drogba and Eden Hazard inspired his passion for the club. To wrap up, he reveals the young English talent he would sign for Chelsea, providing an intriguing glimpse into potential future stars. Join us for an engaging journey from youth development to senior stardom, showcasing Cobham’s essential role in sustaining Chelsea’s reputation for nurturing exceptional homegrown talent.

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Felix's X: https://x.com/FelixJohnston_

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Intro & Outro Credit: Chop Chops - Alex Productions

Graphics
X: https://x.com/Agbanebbie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unclenebo/

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
02:02 Everyone’s First Football Match
05:18 The Development of Chelsea’s Fan Scene
06:40 Felix’s Chelsea Idols: Didier Drogba & Eden Hazard
11:20 2014 UEFA Youth League Squad
14:27 Izzy Brown
15:30 Charly Musonda
19:22 Cobham & Injuries
22:35 2015 UEFA Youth League Squad
25:40 Ola Aina & Cobham Principles
26:59 The Curious Case of Mason Mount
32:38 The Pitfalls of Adding Physical Mass
36:30 Callum Hudson-Odoi
42:10 Chelsea’s First Team Fullback Pool
47:18 2019 UEFA Youth League Squad
48:56 Billy Gilmour & Connor Gallagher
57:04 Halftime & Part II Intro
58:15 Genesis Antwi
1:02:35 Ollie Harrison
1:06:56 Kiano Dyer
1:16:53 Ishe Samuels-Smith
1:22:56 Tyrique George
1:31:00 Josh Acheampong
1:36:53 Shim Mheuka
1:42:30 The Young English Talent Felix Would Sign for Chelsea
1:43:27 Outro