Another Australian-born talent is making waves with one of Europe’s biggest clubs, with 16-year-old Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli spotted training with Chelsea overnight ahead of their Champions League clash against Pafos.
Born in Sydney to an Aussie mother and a Sudanese father, Nicoll-Jazuli would become the Blues’ youngest-ever player if he makes his senior debut before May.
He headed to the UK very early in life, opting to join Chelsea at age six, with Arsenal and Crystal Palace also interested in the midfielder, who began as a centre-back before transitioning in Under-13s, according to the BBC.
Nicoll-Jazuli only turned 16 on January 6, but has already become the youngest player ever to start for Chelsea in the UEFA Youth League against Benfica in September, before scoring in the following match against Ajax. He has also taken on Qarabag and Barcelona.
Just two weeks after turning 16, Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli trained with Chelsea’s first-team today.👀🔵
Mahdi has already trained with the senior squad on numerous occasions this season. He has also made three appearances for Chelsea U21s.✅
A couple months ago, Mahdi became… pic.twitter.com/dQ2c0ZIIUF
— The Talent Hunter 🎯 (@thetalenthunt3r) January 20, 2026
The wonderkid is already playing several years above his age group, representing Chelsea’s Under-21 side and also representing England at Under-17 level.
UK outlet The Sun reported in October that: “Jazuli has been tipped for a blistering career at Stamford Bridge after catching the eye of several top European clubs in recent months.”
Adding that he is ‘widely regarded as the best player in his age group and plays with a style reminiscent of Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham’.
Jazuli was highly rated by Enzo Maresca, who invited him to train with the first team ahead of a clash against Ajax last year, and it appears that opinion is shared by his successor Liam Rosenior, with an image doing the rounds on social media overnight prompting excitement.
The 16-year-old was pictured training with the first team, posing alongside Andrey Santos, Liam Delap, Wesley Fofana and Filip Jorgensen, among others.
Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli (2010) vs Inter Miami – Messi Cup
– Two-footed
– Comfortable in every phase of midfield play
– Athletic
– Proactive in big and small spaces
– Finds passes off dribble
– Frame allows him to win back ball
Tremendous talent.
pic.twitter.com/ByUUww7BWE
— AussieScout (@scout_aussie) January 19, 2026
Considered one of the next gems off the Cobham production line, there could be a tug of war for Jazuli’s international allegiance in the offing, with the midfielder eligible to represent four nations: England, France, Australia and Sudan.
It would appear the Three Lions have stolen an early march on the competition, having already capped him eight times at Under-16 level and five times at Under-17 level.
Another talent for Australian fans to keep an eye on, alongside the likes of Antonio Arena (Italy U17s) and William Ferdinand Cvek (England U15s).