According to reports, Chelsea have secured the services of one of their brightest academy prospects, Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli, on scholarship terms, securing his immediate future to the club. The 16-year-old midfielder is due to put pen to paper on his first professional contract when he turns 17 in January 2027.
Born in Sydney to a Sudanese father and an Australian mother, the teenager joined Chelsea’s youth academy at the age of six. Arsenal and Crystal Palace had also shown early interest in him. He started out life as a reluctant centre-back before moving into midfield at under-13 and has become a versatile player who can play as a six, eight or ten.
Nicoll-Jazuli became the youngest player to start for Chelsea in the UEFA Youth League when he featured against Benfica in September and went on to score against Ajax to become the club’s youngest-ever scorer in the competition. It’s clear he’s a player who is highly thought of at the club, having been promoted to the under-18 team before the 2025-26 season and also playing for the under-21 team and being invited to train with Liam Rosenior’s first team squad.
Why Chelsea are desperate to retain Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli
Chelsea’s decision to keep Nicoll-Jazuli is a move in a fierce race for the best young talents in Europe. The teenager has been touted as one of the brightest prospects to emerge from the famous Cobham production line, and his profile has attracted the attention of several top clubs across the continent. Having his signature on scholarship terms gives the Blues a bit of insurance.
Part of the kid’s hype stems from the lofty comparisons already made to his name. His all-action, two-footed style has led to comparisons with Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham and has earned him the reputation as the best player in his age group.
Nicoll-Jazuli is free to play for several countries, including Sudan, Australia, and England, but the Three Lions appear to have stunted his progress by limiting him to the under-16 and under-17 age groups. His club future is now settled, and the question is whether he can force his way into senior contention and keep on climbing in the seasons ahead.