Chelsea scouts are reportedly monitoring Ilorin-born 16-year-old footballer, Abduljelil Kamaldeen, who has been one of the standout youngsters at the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.
The Kwara Football Academy product caught attention after his impressive performance in Nigeria’s narrow 1-0 loss to Norway U-20, where his creativity, vision, and confidence on the ball stood out despite his young age. Kamaldeen nearly inspired a late equalizer for the Flying Eagles, earning praise from fans and scouts alike.
Chelsea’s interest reportedly began during the WAFU Zone B U-20 Cup in Ghana earlier this year, where Kamaldeen scored in Nigeria’s 4-1 win over Benin Republic and shone against Niger and Ivory Coast. Initially a winger, he has adapted into a creative attacking midfield role, with his style drawing comparisons to Alex Iwobi and football legend Jay-Jay Okocha.
The Blues, known for developing African talents like Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel, reportedly see Kamaldeen as a long-term project within their youth setup. His technique, pace, and versatility align with Chelsea’s current recruitment focus on promising young players.
Meanwhile, Chelsea already have another youngster of Nigerian descent, Chizaram Ezenwata, in their academy ranks. The London-born striker, formerly of Charlton Athletic, remains eligible to represent Nigeria, England, or Cameroon.
In a related development, first-team star Cole Palmer was recently seen supporting Chelsea’s U-19 side, highlighting the club’s growing emphasis on youth development.
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