Alao’s rise has been one of the few bright spots in a dismal campaign for Sheffield Wednesday. The Owls are currently languishing at the bottom of the Championship table with a total of -7 points, but the 17-year-old left-back has shown maturity beyond his years when called upon. A product of the Wednesday academy, Alao made his senior debut at just 16 years of age against Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup back in August, immediately catching the eye of top-tier scouts.
Since that debut, he has been integrated further into the first-team picture, racking up five appearances across all competitions this term. His most notable performance came earlier this month in the FA Cup, where he played 60 minutes against Premier League opposition in Brentford. Despite the defeat, Alao held his own, showcasing the physical and technical attributes that have convinced Chelsea to make their move.
With Wednesday facing the drop to League One, the sale represents a necessary piece of business, allowing them to cash in on a homegrown asset to potentially fund reinforcements for their relegation battle.