FOOTBALL
By Piyush Wankhede
Posted on June 11, 2026 5:00 pm | Updated on June 11, 2026 3:39 pm Academy players Richard Olise, Sam Rak-Sakyi and Jimi Tauriainen leave Chelsea as Xabi Alonso takes charge.
Chelsea is one of England’s premier football clubs, competing in the Premier League and European competitions such as the UEFA Champions League. Known for its strong squad, tactical versatility, and competitive history, Chelsea has won multiple league titles, domestic cups,… Read More about CHELSEA
Chelsea academy players Jimi Tauriainen, Sam Rak-Sakyi and Richard Olise are all leaving the club this summer. This marks the first departures as Xabi Alonso takes charge at the Stamford Bridge.
Richard Olise
As reported by Football London, Richard Olise is leaving Chelsea after spending more than a decade at their academy system. The defender joined the Blues at under-9 level and then progressed through their youth ranks. He established himself as a reliable player in their youth setup. Throughout his time at the Stamford Bridge he earned a reputation for being versatile and professional.
He has not made a senior appearance for Chelsea but still Olise has been highly rated in the academy. He was also a part of training with the Blues first team in season 2024/25. Olise was included in the senior squad for UEFA Conference League match against Astana. This shows the trust that the coaching staff and then-manager Enzo Maresca had in him.
Richard Olise is the younger brother of Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise. However, Richard chose his own path in Chelsea academy and represented England at youth level. His exit from Chelsea shows that incoming boss Xabi Alonso has slightly different plans and he does not see Olise fitting his system. Now Olise will be preparing to secure strong regular minutes in senior football to continue the growth of his career.
Sam Rak-Sakyi
Sam Rak-Sakyi joined Chelsea academy when he was 8 years old. The midfielder developed through every level of the clubs system and became one of the most impressive talents of his age group. Sam Rak-Sakyi is known for his energy and ball carrying ability in midfield. Due to his hard work, he got chances in the senior squad during season 2024/25. He made his debut for Chelsea’s senior team against Armenian club Noah in the UEFA Conference League. He made 3 more appearances for the club as the Blues moved forward in the tournament.
As a result of those 4 appearances, Rak-Sakyi gained important experience in European football. The midfielder also represented England at the youth level. This shows the huge potential that the youngster has.
Making a name in Chelsea’s midfield was hard. As reported by Football London, his game time and opportunities at Stamford Bridge were very limited so the club and the player have agreed that a fresh start is the best option. Sam Rak-Sakyi now leaves the club and will hope to learn and grow in the senior level with regular game time.
Jimi Tauriainen
As reported by Daily Mail, Jimi Tauriainen joined Chelsea academy in 2020. He is a midfielder from Finland and is seen as a technically gifted player. His composure and control on the ball is impressive to watch. He suffered injury issues during his development at the academy. Still, he remained a highly rated player in Chelsea’s youth system.
Under then-manager Mauricio Pochettino, he was included as a substitute in season 2023/24 Carabao Cup final against Liverpool at the Wembley stadium. He did not play in that match but still a youngster getting selected for a cup final shows the trust people around him have in his talent.
Jimi Tauriainen made his debut for Chelsea senior team in the FA Cup against Leeds United in February 2024. Later in that same season he also made his Premier League debut for Chelsea against Tottenham as a substitute. As reported by Football London, the 21-year-old now leaves Chelsea as Xabi Alonso wants the players he feels can fit in his system. Tauriainen will search for a new club as he will now want regular game time to progress his career at the next level.
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Piyush Wankhede
Piyush Wankhede is a Junior Football Writer at Six Sports, contributing articles focused on football news, match developments, and player performances. As an emerging voice in football journalism, he provides clear and engaging coverage that helps readers stay updated on key events and stories in the sport. Through his work at Six Sports, Piyush delivers concise match reports, player analyses, and feature pieces that highlight trends and narratives shaping modern football. His writing combines attention to detail with accessibility, making it easy for readers to follow football developments.
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