Liam Rosenior has officially integrated Shim Mheuka into Chelsea’s senior matchday preparations, providing the 18-year-old with the opportunity to really kick on.
Chelsea‘s youth policy has worked wonders this season. We’ve seen the rise of Estevao Willian, Jesse Derry, Shim Mheuka, and even Mamadou Sarr in his one performance so far.
Mheuka has scored 12 goals in 11 Premier League 2 appearances so far this season, signalling he’s ready for the step up to first-team football.
At 18 years old, it’s still early days and there’s no rush. But with Liam Delap struggling at times and Joao Pedro potentially needing rest with the busy schedule, perhaps more opportunities will arrive.
After all, it seems as if Liam Rosenior likes what he’s seen from the attacker.
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Liam Rosenior keeps Shim Mheuka in first-team training
Mheuka has been a feature at times in Chelsea’s first team training, appearing three times in FA Cup and Carabao Cup this season. Appearing in 31 minutes of action during those three games.
And after his brief cameo against Hull City, he’s been pictured in first-team training once again. But he’s not the only one, as Jesse Derry was also involved.
It’s a clear sign that Rosenior is putting more trust in the youngster, slowly working him into his plans.
After all, Mheuka was nominated for the January Premier League 2 Player of the Month award.
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Shim Mheuka looks up to Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard
Mheuka has already enlisted the help of Reece James during his development phase at Cobham.
“Definitely. I’ve always looked up to players like Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba because of their passion, mentality and leadership. Being around Reece James has helped a lot too. Watching how he leads, how he prepares and how he treats his team-mates has been really inspiring for me.”
It’s this kind of attitude that will see Mheuka go far at Chelsea.
Many Chelsea fans won’t be aware of the fact that the Cobham talent is already a leader in the youth ranks, having been named the captain of the Under-21 side.
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