Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca and England Under-21 boss Lee Carsley will both be happy with Tyrique George right now.
George was left feeling disappointed after his collapsed move to Fulham at the end of the summer transfer window, but he quickly put that behind him and made himself available for Chelsea.
The 19-year-old started in the Blues’ 2-1 win against Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup last month and scored a terrific equaliser to help keep his side in the competition.
Since then, George has been called up to Carsley’s England U21 squad, netting the winning goal in their 1-0 victory over Andorra on Monday.
Chelsea winger Tyrique George during the Champions League match against Benfica.
Photo by Vince Mignott/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
Tyrique George claims he’s happy to play anywhere on the pitch
George is a winger, but the Chelsea academy graduate has also played up front this season.
That is where Carsley started him in the game against Andorra, and George is happy to continue playing there or anywhere else on the pitch.
Speaking about playing as a striker following England U21s’ latest victory, George said: “I don’t really mind, to be fair. I just want to get on the pitch. If it’s as a striker, a full-back, wherever, I’ll play.”
At club level, he could get more appearances up front between now and January. Liam Delap is still injured, while Maresca has not shown too much trust in Marc Guiu yet following his swift return from Sunderland.
Delap could return to the grass by the end of October in what would be a boost to Chelsea. But until he is fit again, they will have to continue relying on George, Guiu and Joao Pedro.
England U21s star Tyrique George clapping
Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images
Lee Carsley thinks Tyrique George’s future could be up front
Again, George is a winger by trade, but Carsley can envision him developing into a traditional centre-forward.
When Carsley spoke about George after England U21s’ game against Andorra, he said: “He’s got the profile and attributes to develop into a traditional number 9. A lot of that development I would imagine will go on at Chelsea. He’s fast. He scores goals. He’s creative. He’s got good technique.”
While George is thriving under Carsley right now, he will have ambitions to play for England’s senior team. To fulfil those ambitions, though, the player may need to leave Chelsea and become a starter somewhere else.
It has been claimed that George is likely to “leave” Chelsea in the January transfer window.