Chelsea are lining up a January move for Nigerian youngster Abduljelil Kamaldeen after the teenager impressed at the ongoing FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile.
The 16-year-old winger, who plays for Kwara Football Academy, caught the eye during Nigeria’s narrow 1-0 defeat to Norway on Monday. Despite coming on as a late substitute, he almost levelled the match with a driving run into the box, leaving Chelsea scouts convinced of his potential.
Club sources in England indicate that Kamaldeen has been marked out as a priority signing. According to The Sun, the Blues had been tracking the player since his standout performances at the WAFU Zone B U20 Cup earlier this year in Ghana, where he scored in a crucial 4-1 win over Benin and played decisive roles in the semi-final and final.
Kamaldeen’s versatility has also fuelled comparisons with Nigerian great Jay-Jay Okocha and current Premier League midfielder Alex Iwobi. He is comfortable both on the left flank and in a deeper creative role as a number 10.
“Chelsea’s recruitment department has been monitoring young talents who play above their age group. Kamaldeen fits perfectly into that profile,” a club insider was quoted as saying.
The teenager is expected to start Nigeria’s next group match against Saudi Arabia on Thursday. A strong display could further increase interest from other European clubs, but Chelsea are understood to be leading the race.
The London club have recently strengthened their youth ranks with Nigerian heritage striker Chizaram Ezenwata, signed from Charlton Athletic earlier this year. Reports suggest Chelsea did not release Ezenwata for international duty so that he could integrate quickly with their academy setup.
