Chelsea perhaps don’t get enough credit for the incredible pool of talent they’ve helped develop in their academy over the years. So, who will be the next superstar to emerge from Cobham?
Current Blues first-team stars such as Reece James, Conor Gallagher and Levi Colwill are club academy graduates. Elsewhere across the country, the likes of Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento and Arsenal’s Declan Rice all played in the Chelsea youth system.
We’re optimistic about the current batch of youngsters developing with the Blues right now.
Interestingly, The Athletic has today published a story discussing the excitement around one 18-year-old Chelsea prospect.
Watch out for Donnell McNeilly
Chelsea forward Donnell McNeilly, who’s been with the club since the Under-12s, is a young prospect on the rise.
He’s scored 23 goals in all competitions this season for the Blues across various age groups, albeit he’s still waiting to make his first-team debut.
The Athletic claims that McNeilly’s efforts are increasingly being noticed at Chelsea.
It is understood that he’s been training with Mauricio Pochettino’s senior group during the international break.
In addition, the report explains that the teenage striker has just over one year remaining on his current deal, so contract talks are expected to happen in the coming months.
All of Chelsea’s rising stars should feel optimistic about a senior breakthrough while Pochettino is still in charge. Chelsea Youth shared via X in February that Pochettino went to watch a Chelsea Under-18s match just a day before the League Cup final loss to Liverpool.
He bosses training
Another interesting part of The Athletic’s report is the reference of McNeilly in training.
Apparently, some of Chelsea academy staff have said that McNeilly’s teammates always want to be on his side in any kind of training drills or matches.
It’s an encouraging sign when you’ve got the respect of your peers on the pitch.
Described as a forward who’s strong and can finish with both feet, we’ll be keeping an extra close eye on McNeilly.