Chelsea hold ‘conversations’ over January loan plan for new sensation Shim Mheuka
Shim Mheuka is one of the most promising rising talents currently emerging at Chelsea this season.
At just 17 years of age, the centre-forward already has six first-team appearances to his name as he continues to impress for the Under-19s, and he already has 11 goal contributions in 10 games this term.
He recently scored a hat-trick in the Blues’ UEFA Youth League victory over Benfica, while also making a substitute appearance as Chelsea beat Lincoln City 2-1 in the Carabao Cup.
Another youngster being given the chance to shine is Estevao, who scored the dramatic winner in the 2-1 win over Liverpool before the international break, with Enzo Maresca more than happy to trust youth.
Now, the Blues’ plans for Mheuka have been discussed at length.
Chelsea are unlikely to loan out Shim Mheuka this season
The Standard’s Dom Smith spoke exclusively to Football Insider about Chelsea potentially loaning Mheuka out in January, saying: “It’s certainly something they’ll keep an open dialogue over. I wonder if he might benefit, for the remaining six months, remaining at Chelsea and being in the youth team, continuing his numbers.
“In the next couple of seasons, I can definitely see a loan somewhere else. It would cost a club a lot of money if they wanted to buy him outright, and only if they feel his potential is flatlining and that they can make some money in the market, but I think that is really unlikely.
“They see him as a player who can make the first team. They don’t want to pile too much pressure on, but a loan would be a natural next step. But I wonder if January is too early for that.
“He’s scoring at a phenomenal level. He’s one of the best academy goalscorers in the country, so why not keep it that way and revisit and reconsider at the end of the season?
“My understanding is that he trains with the first team more than any other youth player. For that to be the case at 17, his progress is already stratospheric. The question is, when do you send him on loan? Chelsea will have been having those conversations for a while, and they will continue to do so. It’s only a matter of when.”
What has Mheuka said about playing for Chelsea?
Having joined the academy set-up as a teenager, Mheuka has gone from strength to strength at Cobham Training Centre, now being given chances in the senior team.
Speaking to the official website last year, he said: “As a 16-year-old stepping up to the Under-21s squad, it was a proud moment, and it can be tough at times.
“But I feel like I’ve handled the situation well and embraced every opportunity that’s come my way. Getting a taste of Under-21s football has been great and has definitely pushed my performance even further.”
Chelsea have a very exciting talent on their hands, and there is a very fine line between nurturing him at Stamford Bridge versus sending him on loan to gain consistent first-team minutes.