This is the ‘stratospheric’ Chelsea wonderkid who’s the ‘cream of the crop’ in one of world’s best academies
Enzo Maresca has the ability to nurture one of the most exciting up-and-coming talents at Chelsea over the next few seasons.
Estevao shot to fame with his late winner against Liverpool, a moment which saw the manager be sent off for excessive celebrations after charging down the touchline at Stamford Bridge.
While Liam Delap is still sidelined, he is yet another example of youth being trusted this season, regularly joined by Josh Acheampong, Andrey Santos, and Tyrique George in the first team.
The Blues are currently sitting seventh in the Premier League, but with multiple domestic competitions also on the calendar, supporters are excited to see one youngster given more opportunities in particular.
Shim Mheuka produced by ‘one of the most esteemed academies’
The Standard’s Dom Smith spoke exclusively to Football Insider about Shim Mheuka‘s potential to break through at Stamford Bridge, highlighting just how talented the 17-year-old is.
“I think they’re trying not to put a limit on it, but they really see him among the cream of the crop in their academy. We know that Chelsea have got one of the most esteemed academies in the country,” he said.
“He is seen as one of the most natural goalscorers in the country at academy level, and he’s certainly showing it this season. His stats this season have been incredible. He’s been gradually improving over the last three or four years.
“Chelsea picked him up from Brighton after he impressed at U14-level, and the way he’s kicked on bodes well. He’s had first-team opportunities, and I think he’s deserved them as well. The numbers are great, and he’s been captaining some of the teams.
“When you’re at that age, you do tend to take part across different age groups – Under-19s & Under-21s. He’s seen as someone who is playing a level above his age group, and he’s playing infinitely above when he’s with the senior team. The conference league is quite good for some of those youngsters.
“They got more chances in the conference league last season than they would have done had Chelsea been in a more serious competition. It’s all good experience, and he also got 20 minutes against Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup. That many minutes after the summer just gone strikes me as an acknowledgement of just how impressive his youth form this season has been.”
Notable Chelsea academy products to thrive at Stamford Bridge
The Blues have spent an eye-watering amount of money over the last couple of transfer windows, but the Cobham Training Centre is world-famous for producing young talent.
John Terry, Reece James, Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori, and Michael Olise all come to mind when speaking about the gems that came through the youth system before going on to bigger things.
Liverpool are interested in signing Olise, potentially seeing him as Mohamed Salah‘s successor, and that all started at the Cobham Training Centre.
Mheuka has shown plenty of promising signs that he can be the next big thing for the Blues, but at just 17 years of age, he needs a lot more experience before making it at the very top level.