Chelsea are exploring a number of forward options ahead of the January transfer window, as BlueCo continue to pursue stars of the future.
Blues welcome back two forwards ahead of Villa clash
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca will be boosted by the return of Liam Delap and Estevao when Aston Villa visit Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Unai Emery's side are in red hot form, winning ten matches on the bounce in all competitions after their 2-1 win against Manchester United.
Delap’s recovery from the shoulder injury he sustained during the draw with Bournemouth on December 6 is reason to be particularly cheerful as it had looked like being a lengthier lay-off for the £30million striker.
The 22-year-old is yet to score his first Premier League goal since moving from Ipswich in the summer, having missed around ten weeks of the season, mostly with a groin problem picked up on his first home start in August.
Chelsea's Liam Delap celebrates scoring their third goal
The return of Estevao, who has not played since coming on as a late substitute in the December 13 win over Everton, also reinforces Maresca’s options.
“Estevao is available for Saturday and also Liam Delap,” the Italian said. “We didn’t know exactly how long (Delap) needed to be out. Very happy for both.”
Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo Related
Chelsea have already agreed to sign their answer to Semenyo in 2026
The incredible youngster could be even better for Chelsea than Semenyo would have ever been.
The Blues will look to reinforce their squad in January as they push for a spot in the top five, but their latest transfer target is one for the future.
Chelsea scouting Saint-Étienne teenager N'Guessan
According to Simon Johnson, writing for The Athletic, Chelsea are scouting 'many young talents' in France, including some at sister club Strasbourg.
todd-boehly-chelsea-premier-league
Rennes centre-back Jeremy Jacquet and Saint-Etienne forward Djylian N’Guessan are both being monitored, with the latter an extremely raw and inexperienced talent.
The Blues have made a habit of recruiting stars of the future before loaning them out in recent years, and N’Guessan could be a perfect candidate for that model having made just ten appearances for Saint-Étienne's first team, scoring once.
N'Guessan's career so far Apps (goals)
Saint-Étienne 10 (1)
Saint-Étienne B 9 (2)
Saint-Étienne U19 13 (8)
Youth football channel Eyeball Football calls the 17 year-old an "extremely talented forward, using his tall and agile frame to create goal-scoring opportunities".
The teenager has been spectacular at youth level for France, scoring 23 times in 25 games for France's U16 and U17 sides.
Jacquet meanwhile is attracting interest from a number of top sides, with the 20 year-old defender being monitored by the Blues, Arsenal and Real Madrid.