Who is Jesse Derry? Chelsea hand rising star Premier League debut in clash with Nottingham Forest
Who is Jesse Derry? Chelsea name teenager in Premier League team to face Nottingham Forest
Derry signed for Chelsea on a four-year contract from Crystal Palace in 2025. The 18-year-old has impressed in the Eagles’ academy, making his debut for the u-18 side while still a schoolboy. He was named Crystal Palace’s u-18 Player of the Season in 2023/24, having scored 16 goals in 22 appearances for the South Londoners.
After featuring for England at the u-19 European Championship in 2025, Derry crossed the capital to sign for Chelsea.
He has formed part of the Chelsea team that were confirmed as league phase winners of the Premier League 2 earlier this month, after topping the 29-team table.
Derry scored six goals and created three more, while he also netted five times in eight appearances for Chelsea during the UEFA Youth League.
His goalscoring form has also attracted interest at international level. Derry has scored eight goals in 15 caps for England at u-19 level, including a hat-trick in a 7-0 victory over Latvia in a Euro 2026 qualifier in November. He also scored twice in March’s 6-0 win over Portugal.
The teenager’s performances at youth level earned him a senior debut for Chelsea, as a second-half substitute during the club’s 4-0 win over Hull City in the FA Cup fourth round in February.
