Chelsea development chief Dermot Drummy is looking forward to making their UEFA Youth League debut against FC Basel.
The inaugural Under-19s' competition will mirror the senior Champions League during the group stages.
"In terms of age group, we only lose three players - Jamal Blackman, Adam Nditi and Alex Davey - from the squad that's performing well," Drummy told the official Chelsea website. "That shows firstly how young we are in the Under-21s but also that we should have expectations of progressing in this competition.
"The intensity of the way we play and the challenge to get in the team means the boys have an attitude where they don't want to lose their place.
"I've been pleased with our recent performances, but we don't know Basel, and looking at their first team and the way they played last season I'm sure it will be a good game."
