Alfie Gilchrist

Alfie Gilchrist (born 28 November 2003) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or right-back for club Chelsea.

Early career
Born in Kingston upon Thames, London, Gilchrist started his career at local side Old Isleworthians Youth F.C. and Queens Park Rangers, playing as a right-wing and central midfielder in his early teens.

Chelsea
Gilchrist joined Chelsea at under-11 level in 2014 and was deployed as a centre-back. Gilchrist was compared to John Terry and saw him as an idol due to his position and the status as an academy player of Chelsea.

Gilchrist signed his first professional contract in November 2020. He captained the academy team that reached the FA Youth Cup semi-finals and also won the Under-18 Premier League Cup in 2021–22 season. Gilchrist took over captain duties for the Under-23s in February 2023. He was nominated for the PL2 Player of the Season award in the 2022–23 season.

On 26 May 2023, Gilchrist was named among the substitutes for a Premier League tie with Manchester United. He was included in Chelsea's pre-season tour squad in preparation for the 2023–24 season, and came on as a substitute at half-time in a 5–0 win against Wrexham.



On 19 September 2023, he signed a new contract with the club until June 2025. On 27 December, Gilchrist made his senior debut, subbed-on in stoppage time, in a 2–1 win against Crystal Palace in the Premier League. Gilchrist's first start for the senior squad came on 6 January 2024, in Chelsea's 4–0 defeat of Preston North End in the FA Cup.

On 2 April 2024, Gilchrist signed a new contract with Chelsea, keeping him at the club until 2026.

On 15 April 2024, after coming on as an 88th minute substitute for Malo Gusto, Gilchrist scored his first goal for Chelsea in a 6–0 win over Everton.

Personal life
Gilchrist is a boyhood Chelsea fan, as his grandfather and father used to be season ticket holders. He attended Esher Church of England High School in Esher.

Honours
Chelsea
 * EFL Cup runner-up: 2023–24

Individual
 * Chelsea's Academy Player Of The Year: 2024