Chelsea ‘steal march on Man United and Man City’ in race for African sensation
Chelsea have brought in South African sensation Emile Witbooi on a month-long trial at Cobham, the Daily Mail reports.
The highly-rated 16-year-old talent from Cape Town City, who has represented his country up to Under-20 level, is also being tracked by the likes of champions Man City and rivals Man United according to Mail journalist Kieran Gill.
Witbooi’s trial was facilitated by Joe Shields who is Chelsea’s co-director of recruitment and talent as part of the club’s operation to source top African talent early. The teenage star’s arrival at Cobham was also supported by Grant Veitch, Cape Town City’s General Manager of Football Development and Head of Recruitment, who travelled with the youngster to London.
Mail Sport spoke with Veitch hailed the teenager’s talents, saying: “He’s the big fish in South African youth football at the moment, so it’s good that he can break out of that. He will get a report and one of the key purposes of this trip is to get feedback on where he can improve.
‘He’s 16, remember. Physically, he’s one of the smaller boys, born August 2008. But he can follow complex drills, which is a good start. It’s about showing that outstanding quality which I know he’s got.
“Sometimes the players can say, ‘I’d rather stay in South Africa’, which is not the best development for them because, as you know, you’re maybe not going to move when you’re 25.
“The aim is to try to get as many to Europe at 18. It’s really refreshing (that English clubs are now showing a greater interest in his region). It’s like people are willing to also be humble to Africa, which is great.”
Chelsea African greats include Didier Drogba and Michael Essien
Football Insider Opinion
The Blues have been fortunate to boast some of the finest African talents in Premier League history, with Didier Drogba leading the charge along with the likes of Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel.
Signed from Marseille for £24 million, the Ivorian striker became a club legend, renowned for his strength, leadership, and pivotal goals—most famously in the 2012 Champions League final.
The Ivorian’s 104 Premier League goals are the most by an African in the club’s history, and was for a time outright before Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane surpassed him, many struck spectacularly from distance or powered in with his head.
More recently, Senegalese forward Nicolas Jackson, who already has nine goal involvements this season in the Premier League, joined the club from Villarreal last summer, continuing the tradition of African stars making a significant impact at Stamford Bridge.
Witbooi may be a long way off following in the footsteps of some of the names who have gone before him, and it remains to be seen if anything comes of the trial.
But with multiple top English sides sniffing around him he looks like he could get the opportunity, and Chelsea have jumped to the front of the queue.
Now, the London club in a bid to strengthen their African scouting network have appointed Seyi Olofinjana, the former Nigerian midfielder with 48 caps to oversee their operation. Achirou Gaoh was also brought in as they aim to track the best young talent across Africa before others in Europe.
So whether it is Witbooi or not it certainly looks like the Blues are hard at work looking to find the next top star early, following protracted negotiations over a big-money deal for established Nigerian star Victor Osimhen in the summer.
In other news, Chelsea fans are “amazed” as a coach hands in his notice.
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