Chelsea supporter group Not a Project CFC has released a statement strongly criticizing the club's decision to rebrand its academy teams to "Cobham Next Gen," calling the move angering, frustrating, and unacceptable, according to the Evening Standard.

Chelsea announced on Tuesday that its U21 and U19 teams will compete under the name "Cobham Next Gen," abbreviated as CNG, beginning in the 2026/27 season.

Chelsea stated that the rebrand reflects that the average age of these teams is often younger than their opponents, noting that many players on the U18 squad were only 16 years old last season. The new name derives from the club's training facility in Cobham.

The U21 team, taken over by Harry Hudson after Callum McFarlane's promotion to the first team in January, finished top of the Premier League 2 table last season despite being one of the league's youngest squads. They were eliminated by Tottenham in the playoff quarter-finals.

The Daily Telegraph reported that Chelsea's Official Supporters' Trust was not consulted before the rebrand was officially confirmed.

The decision has triggered widespread criticism from fans, and Not a Project CFC has now officially released a statement announcing their public rejection of it.

Not a Project CFC staged protests against Chelsea's ownership before several matches last season, including the FA Cup final. They also joined disgruntled supporters from Chelsea's sister club Strasbourg in demonstrations.

In a statement posted on social media, the group accused BlueCo ownership of stripping the club of its heritage and called on other supporter organizations to openly voice their opposition to the decision.

Chelsea was approached for comment.

Part of the statement reads: We are angry and frustrated, though unfortunately unsurprised, by the club's decision to rebrand our U21 and U19 teams to Cobham Next Gen.

This is yet another example of parasitic ownership stripping away the identity of this great, historic club, piece by piece.

Cobham Academy is renowned as one of the finest in the world, and players typically develop an identity with the club's name as they progress through their footballing journey. From the moment they enter the academy system, players should take pride in representing that name, not a soulless brand created by individuals who have no respect for the club's heritage.

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