Chelsea youngster Ishe Samuels-Smith had a whirlwind of a summer before ending up at Swansea City.
Samuels-Smith is currently at Swansea on loan, but Chelsea initially sold the defender to sister club Strasbourg before re-signing their academy product and sending him to Wales.
In the past, it has been reported that Chelsea have high hopes for Samuels-Smith. And despite selling the 19-year-old, that still seems to be the case.
At the club, co-director of recruitment and talent Joe Shields appears to be one of his biggest supporters.
Chelsea players and Joe Shields celebrating with Club World Cup trophy
Photo by Hector Vivas – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Joe Shields believes Ishe Samuels-Smith has future at Chelsea
According to football.london, Shields is confident that Samuels-Smith can make it at Stamford Bridge.
However, the England Under-20 international is yet to make an appearance for the Chelsea first team, while Marc Cucurella is currently Enzo Maresca’s first-choice left-back.
No one is going to displace the 27-year-old, who may be the best player in his position at the moment.
Alan Smith is surprised Cucurella does not score more goals, but overall, he is a terrific full-back and has shown that over the past 12 months.
Cucurella is not Samuels-Smith’s only problem, though, as he dreams of being a success at Chelsea.
Ishe Samuels-Smith of Swansea City controls the ball
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Jorrel Hato is going to block Ishe Samuels-Smith’s pathway
Right now, Chelsea already have cover for Cucurella in Jorrel Hato, who is exactly the same age as Samuels-Smith.
Hato struggled in Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Qarabag, but the Dutchman has impressed in other games this season and cost the Club World Cup winners £37m.
It is hard to imagine Samuels-Smith overtaking Hato in Maresca’s squad, meaning that he would likely have to be third-choice left-back at the Blues.
That is not something that Samuels-Smith will want, so it is difficult to see him having a future at Chelsea.
His loan spell at Swansea is something to monitor, but there are a few barriers that could prevent the former Strasbourg player from being the next big thing at Stamford Bridge.