Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Cole Palmer believes Chelsea academy star Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli is good enough to make an impact for the first team as soon as next season.
Xabi Alonso has been keen to take a look at a vast amount of the club’s youngsters during the pre-season tour, with the squad currently in Australia.
Reggie Watson and Landon Emenalo stole the headlines from the 6-4 friendly win against Western Sydney Wanderers with their performances which saw them look right at home amongst regular first team stars.
Cole Palmer backs Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli to feature for Chelsea this season
Plenty of other academy stars got the opportunity to prove their worth to Alonso, and this included Nicoll-Jazuli, who came off the bench to feature in the second half.
Alonso has already singled out the youngster for praise, and now one of the club’s best players is tipping him for big things.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Chelsea FC: Sydney Super Cup
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Palmer told Kieran Gill that the 16-year-old could even be ready to feature for the first team as soon as next season, due to the talent he possesses.
He said: “He’s funny. He’s confident. He’s only 16. But he’s got all the attributes to play at this club. Even next season he could possibly be ready. It’s on him if he wants to work hard and keep his focus. But he definitely has all the talents to do what he wants.”
Palmer has been full of praise for Nicoll-Jazuli since January, with there being a conversation at the time that he could make his first team debut against Pafos in the Champions League.
Who is Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli?
The youngster has featured 41 times for various Chelsea youth sides, scoring three goals and assisting another six.
He has also become a regular for the England U17s, racking up six caps in total after playing eight times for the Under 16s.
Nicoll-Jazuli regularly features as a central midfielder, although has made appearances in attacking and defensive midfield.
With a number of Chelsea’s World Cup stars not yet back with their club, the opportunity remains for players like Nicoll-Jazuli to feature against Spurs on Saturday.