The trophy cabinet in our Academy at Cobham is full with every notable piece of silverware it can win in development football. The Under-18 Premier League national title secured in May was the last remaining prize now sitting alongside FA Youth Cups, UEFA Youth Leagues and Under-21 titles.

Players who have been at the club for a decade, having signed as Under-9s, are also stepping into the limelight whether it be as part of Antonio Conte’s first team squad last season; as members of England’s World Cup-winning Under-20 side this summer; or someone such as Tammy Abraham who scored 26 goals during his maiden loan spell at Bristol City.

Bath has watched them all advance through the system during 13 years in his current role and believes they are reaping the rewards of an environment of excellence at the club. A challenging and diverse games programme forms a significant part of a player’s journey through the youth system, including a gradual introduction to the demands of winning provided by Premier League tournaments and foreign tours. They test players against different styles and opponents, and Bath is a firm believer in cultivating a winning mentality in players and teams at a formative stage of development.

‘Throughout the year, all our Academy age groups participate in overseas tours and tournaments which prepares them for future tournament football and for the challenge of winning,’ he tells the official Chelsea website. ‘We go out every weekend trying to win our games but we also have clear principles of play so we develop our players technically, tactically and physically. Playing to win is a big part of development because it challenges the players’ mentally as well.

‘You can see the benefits of that with our achievements in winning trophies at the older age groups in recent years and now with our boys involved in successes with England. You hear a lot in the media about club versus country but in youth development it’s so important to work together to find the best way to develop players and the experience of playing for your country should complement the competitions in academy football.

‘These competitions and the international tournaments are an important way to bridge the gap to senior football. Players like Tammy and Andreas Christensen have played in them all and I’m sure the experience has helped in their transition to the senior game.’