After signing a new contract with Chelsea, Tyrique George discusses his progression in our academy and reveals the senior Blues star who inspires him to keep pushing to achieve more.

Over the course of the 2023–24 season, Tyrique George saw plenty of progression, making appearances across our under-18s and under-21s as well as having opportunities with the senior team.

That has been rewarded with a new contract that will keep him at Chelsea until at least 2027, having started his Blues journey in the Under-8s after coming through the development centre programme.

‘I am extremely happy to extend my stay at Chelsea,’ said George, after committing his future to the Blues.

 

Tyrique puts pen to paper on his new contract

 

‘I started my journey at the club from a young age, so to be able continue my story and grow in this environment means a lot.

‘It has always been a dream to play for Chelsea. It is a blessing to extend my stay and to continue playing for the club that means so much to me. I am excited to see what my future holds at this club and make my mark.’

Since joining the Academy, George has continued to impress and rise through the ranks to become an influential member of Hassan Sulaiman’s Under-18s side in 2023/24, playing a big role in the Under-18 Premier League southern title victory and starting the national final at Stamford Bridge against Manchester United.

 

George poses with the Under-18 Premier League south trophy at Cobham

 

Looking back at his 2023/24 campaign, George feels he blossomed, particularly during the closing stages, as he continued to build on his momentum on and off the pitch.

‘It’s been a really good season, filled with lots of squad and personal accomplishments,’ smiled George. ‘Both teams I have played for this season have been successful. We’ve shown high standards in our performances throughout the season, which has been reflected in our results.

‘Over the past season, I feel as if my performance has completely accelerated. I have been involved in more goals and assists this season than in others. My confidence has grown massively.

‘I have been working extremely hard on making sure my final touches are powerful and accurate, and I think it’s paid off.’

 

In action against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in the Under-18 Premier League national final

 

For the Under-18s, George scored 12 goals and provided six assists through his 21 appearances in 2023–24. He praises head coach Sulaiman for his supportive nature throughout his time under his management and for giving him opportunities to further his experience.

‘Starting the season off in the Under-18s, I felt my performance each week was going from strength to strength.

‘I gained more experience on the ball and learned more about tactics and how crucial it is to remain spatially aware throughout the fixture.

 

Tyrique believes he has improved as a player under Sulaiman’s guidance

 

‘I owe a lot to Hass. He has continued to support me throughout the season in every single way. I always believed I could do it, and he makes those beliefs come to life.

‘I have worked with Hass for around five years now and he has played an enormous part throughout my Chelsea journey. He allows me to express myself on the pitch and continues to get the best out of my performance.’

During the latter part of the campaign, not only did George become a consistent member of the Under-21s squad, but he also received a call-up to the matchday squad for the men’s team.

George is grateful for those opportunities with the men’s team and will take valuable lessons with him into next season, when he hopes to go one step further by earning his senior debut.

 

Representing our Under-21s against Brighton in the Premier League 2 play-offs

 

‘I enjoyed stepping up and playing for the Under-21s. Not only was it a new challenge, but it’s a step closer to where I want to be. The game is played with more physicality, so it was another opportunity to improve that area of my performance.

‘The highlight of the season was getting the experience with the men’s team—and what an experience it was. It was a surreal couple of weeks, as it was something I dreamed of since signing my first contract with the club.

‘Although I was fortunate enough to be on the bench for a couple of fixtures, I didn’t get the opportunity to play. But next season, hopefully, it will be a different story. It has given me more ambition and hunger to tick off my target.’

During his time with the senior team, one player caught George’s eye with his attitude and performance in training and matches: Cole Palmer. That means he is hoping he can take what he has learned from Chelsea’s No. 20 and apply it to his own game next season.

‘Someone I look up to has to be Cole Palmer. He is an inspiration,’ explained George.

 

George is an admirer of Palmer

 

‘Everything he does on the ball looks so effortless but holds so much skill and value. He remains calm in high-intensity situations and never lets the occasion get to him.

‘He is ruthless with his attacking and just consistently finds the breakthrough—something I have been working on.

‘The experience I got training with Cole and the rest of the squad was priceless. It taught me so much about ways to elevate my performance, along with carrying the correct mentality to strive to be the best I can be.’

If he can continue his rapid progress of last season in the next one, George may just get his wish and appear alongside Palmer at the Bridge for Chelsea’s senior side in the future.