Chelsea have another wonderkid in their sights ahead of the January window, but they will face heavy competition in their efforts to lure him from Bayern Munich.
With the Christmas period in full swing, the Blues won’t have many days off between now and the new year.
That will mark the opening of the transfer window, when many clubs will be looking to strengthen for the second half of the season.
Chelsea, though, are approaching the market with a more long-term focus. 16-year-old midfielder Mohamed Zongo is the latest to agree to the Chelsea project, though he will head to Strasbourg initially.
Further back the pitch, Chelsea have landed on another academy gem who is slowly breaking into the first-team picture at Bayern — and has caught the eye of another Premier League giant as well.
Chelsea focusing on youth until the summer 👉️
What do you make of BlueCo's recruitment?
After Deinner Ordoñez, Chelsea will sign Mohamed Zongo (one of the main sensations of the last U17 World Cup).
They are building a SUPERTEAM of WONDERKIDS 🔵✨
— Rising Stars XI (@RisingStarXI) December 10, 2025
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Chelsea and Man City begin talks with Bayern Munich’s Cassiano Kiala
While he’s yet to make an appearance for Vincent Kompany this season, 16-year-old centre-back Cassiano Kiala has made it onto the bench on seven occasions.
Chelsea have looked at Gremio’s Luis Eduardo for the same reason. They want to secure the future of the back line.
Kiala is attracting interest from Man City as well.
As Mirror Football revealed: “The father of 16-year-old Bayern Munich central defender Cassiano Kiala flew to London on Friday for discussions with Chelsea and Manchester City.”
The German youngster is a modern centre-back who is comfortable in possession and is already physically capable of playing senior football. Bayern would surely hate to see him leave, but if both City and Chelsea are in the mix, it suggests a move is possible.
He’s a player Enzo Maresca would love — for the same reason he rates Reece James so highly.
Romeo Lavia’s injury record could force Chelsea to sign a new midfielder in 2026. Who would you buy if Kobbie Mainoo isn’t available?
Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton have both been mentioned 👀
Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia preparing a pass and Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo jogging
Credit: Shaun Brooks – CameraSport/Catherine Ivill – AMA via Getty Images
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Cassiano Kiala can be another Reece James-type player
It’s becoming increasingly clear from the names that have come to Chelsea that Maresca likes a profile that is fit to play multiple positions.
The best example is James, who Maresca sees just as much as a midfielder as a defender. Malo Gusto, too.
Even players like Jorrel Hato, Joao Pedro and Estevao Willian are all capable of fulfilling multiple roles.
Kiala could be the next in that mold. As the report states: “The versatile gem, who can also operate as a defensive midfielder, was part of Bayern’s travelling squad for last summer’s Club World Cup in the United States.”
Some fans have given Maresca stick for playing players out of position, but only when the results aren’t falling the way of the Blues. A player who can play both centre-back and holding midfield offers more tactical flexibility than almost any other combination.
Man City are always a tough opponent in the transfer market, and these talks might just be exploratory at this stage.
That being said, Kiala looks like the type of player Chelsea love to sign, and the trust placed in youth at Stamford Bridge can tempt any aspiring star.
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