Chelsea have set their sights on Flying Eagles youngster Abduljelil Kamaldeen following his impressive cameo in Nigeria’s 1-0 loss to Norway at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile.
The 16-year-old midfielder, a product of the Kwara Football Academy, was introduced in the 78th minute and almost created an equaliser late on, showcasing pace, composure and attacking intent. His performance is said to have caught the attention of scouts from the Premier League giants.
Reports from The Sun UK indicate that Chelsea’s recruitment team has been monitoring the teenager since his breakout at the WAFU Zone B U20 Cup in Ghana earlier this year. Kamaldeen scored in Nigeria’s 4-1 win over Benin and turned heads with standout performances against Niger and Ivory Coast on the road to the title.
A number of football observers have already likened him to Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi, while some within Nigerian football believe he could one day emulate Iwobi’s uncle, the iconic Jay-Jay Okocha.
Under FIFA rules, international transfers for players under the age of 18 are prohibited, meaning Kamaldeen cannot move abroad until 2027. Despite that, Chelsea are expected to track his progress closely.
Retired Super Eagles star Seyi Olofinjana, who serves as Chelsea’s Head of Talent Management for Africa, is reportedly keeping a close eye on the midfielder throughout the tournament.
A Nigerian football analyst told Observers Times that Kamaldeen’s rise is no surprise. “He has pace, flair and a natural instinct in the final third. It is only a matter of time before Europe comes calling in a big way,” he said.
