It was 27 years ago that Joe Edwards' relationship with Chelsea began. He joined the club's academy aged eight and had dreams of a professional career in football. Those eventually came to fruition, but perhaps not exactly how he envisaged.
Edwards was released by Chelsea at the age of 16 and by his early twenties was coaching. He joined the Blues for the second time in 2004 and worked with the youngest members of the club's academy, which included Trevoh Chalobah, Fikayo Tomori, Reece James, Mason Mount and Callum Hudson-Odoi,
His ascent through the ranks was brisk. Edwards was promoted to Under-16s head coach in 2011 and served as Adi Viveash's assistant as the Under-18s enjoyed FA Youth Cup success.
He was handed the reigns of the youth team in July 2014 and was reunited with several players he'd coached during their formative years at Cobham. The FA Youth Cup was claimed in Edwards' two seasons in charge as the Blues took a stranglehold on the competition.
After completing his UEFA Pro Licence during the 2016/17 campaign, Edwards was handed Chelsea's Development Squad by the club's head of youth development, Neil Bath. Never an easy group to manage – with players leaving on loan or youngsters being moved up – Edwards guided his side into the semi-finals of the Checkatrade Trophy.
Only a penalty shoot-out defeat to Lincoln City's senior side denied Chelsea's youngsters to walk out at Wembley – it remains the furthest any academy team has reached in the competition.
Edwards' impressive success at youth level was perhaps no surprise given his long-standing relationship with Chelsea. He understood the club, its ethos, and its demands.
“Culture is really important at the club. If, as a coach, you are preaching something, it’s really important that you lead by example yourself," he told The Boot Room in April 2019.
“If we’re continually asking the players to be the best that they can be, to give 100% every day and continue to learn and develop – then we have to lead by example as coaches.
“If you’ve got members of staff who have that mindset – who are always looking to learn, improve and reflect – it develops a certain way of working for everyone and you’re in the best place to do it because you’re surrounded by excellence."
Two months after that interview, Edwards was promoted to the first-team coaching staff by Frank Lampard. And alongside the club legend and Jody Morris, he played a guiding role in the integration of Tomori, James, Mount and Tammy Abraham.
Those players – and Chalobah – have maintained the strong relationships formed with Edwards in their youth. It's worth remembering Mount celebrated with the coach on the pitch after last season's Champions League final win in Porto. As did James and several other members of the first team, including N'Golo Kante
Lampard became close with Edwards while working on his coaching badges at Cobham. They stayed in regular contact during his time in charge at Derby County, where Tomori and Mount were on loan, and it was no surprise Lampard made him part of his coaching team at Stamford Bridge.
When Chelsea's all-time top scorer was dismissed a little over a year ago and replaced with Thomas Tuchel, there was speculation that Edwards would depart. Instead, he remained and proved an important presence during the German's early months at the helm given his knowledge of how the club operated.
Edwards has remained the bridge between academy and first team at Chelsea over the past 12 months. His opinion has been canvassed by Tuchel over which youngsters are ready to train with the first team, over who can handle the step up and impress alongside seasoned internationals.
Leaning on Cobham graduates is something Tuchel has neeeded to do over the past two months; Edwards' presence certainly made that process easier.
It felt somewhat inevitable, however, that when Lampard returned to management that Edwards would join him. That has proved the case as Edwards has departed for Everton today following the announcement that the former Chelsea midfielder has taken charge at Goodison Park.
The Blues have confirmed that Edwards will not be immediately replaced on Tuchel's staff. Given it is the middle of the season, that is understandable. Yet the important role that Edwards played must be filled going forward.
The last two years have proved there is an abundance of talent within Cobham that can have an impact in the first team, and that pathway must remain open. Edwards ensured that was the case. The door can't afford to be closed in his absence.
