The future is clearly bright at Chelsea as a result of the incredibly talented players that are at Cobham working with the academy.
The blueprint has been laid out by Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George for players who can make it despite the big spending on new signings by the club.
Enzo Maresca has looked to hand as many of these individuals an opportunity as possible with the first team squad, with many of these coming in the Conference League last season.
Reggie Walsh and Samuel Rak-Sakyi were among the players who were given their chances, and are certainly nominees for the award of Chelsea’s best academy prospect of the year.
Chelsea U21 v Reading U21: Premier League 2
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
However, Shumaira Mheuka has continued to raise the bar for the academy sides this season, and is surely knocking on Maresca’s door for more appearances for the first team squad.
Last season the striker was handed sporadic minutes, including a start in the Conference League knockout stages.
Mheuka even nearly broke a Premier League record by almost finding the net with his first touch of the ball after coming off the bench.
Since then though, he has enjoyed a very prolific season for the academy, scoring 14 goals in 17 games in all competitions.
This puts him above the total managed by any first team player, and his performances for the England U19s in 2025 have only bolstered his prospects.
Chelsea FC Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Conference League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Mheuka ready for first team minutes
It is clear the young striker is ready to make the step up to first team level, however with Liam Delap and Joao Pedro those opportunities are not likely to come.
This is why a temporary move away could be the best thing for him, and reports have stated that Mheuka is keen to move on loan.
This would be the best possible scenario for the youngster, and the Blues would certainly have a favoured destination in mind when it comes to where he would go.
Strasbourg are set to lose Emanuel Emegha at the end of the season when he moves to Stamford Bridge, and BlueCo would love him to work with a coach like Liam Rosenior, who they are in turn very big fans of.
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