Pep Chavarria
Pep Chavarria has signed a five-year contract at Chelsea(Image: Chris Lee - Chelsea FC)
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Chelsea academy defender Landon Emenalo is expected to join Celtic after positive talks over a loan move to the Scottish champions, football.london understands.
Emenalo was shown around Lennoxtown, Celtic's training headquarters, recently and while a deal is not quite done yet for the youngster to move to Scotland on loan, things are moving in the right direction.
The 18-year-old featured in the Blues' first pre-season tour match against Western Sydney Wanderers and impressed with his attacking prowess. Emenalo also started both of Chelsea's behind-closed-door friendlies before the squad jetted off to Australia.
Sources say Emenalo caught the eye in the wins against Crawley Town and Bromley behind the scenes at the club's Cobham training base. The left back is now expected to move on loan for the upcoming season in order to get some invaluable first-team experience.
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After Chelsea confirmed the signing of Pep Chavarria for £16.3million (plus add-ons) earlier in the week, Xabi Alonso now has two natural left-back options in the Spaniard and Jorrel Hato. With the Blues having no European football to rotate this season, chances for academy players may be even more restricted.
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso gives instructions to Landon Emenalo
Xabi Alonso gives instructions to Landon Emenalo(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
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Emenalo is set to follow a host of Chelsea's academy talent to move on loan for the upcoming season. Ishe Samuels-Smith has joined Notts County, Jesse Derry is spending time at Sporting CP, Harrison Murray-Campbell signed a temporary deal at KV Kortijk, Ollie Harrison is with AFC Wimbledon for the 26/27 campaign and Hudson Sands has moved to Dulwich Hamlet.
Genesis Antwi will spend the season with BlueCo-owned Strasbourg. Max Merrick has joined National League outfit Hartlepool United on loan, while Kaiden Wilson will play his football for League Two side Rochdale in 26/27. The likes of Reggie Walsh and Ryan Kavuma-McQueen are set to move to Wigan Athletic and Portsmouth respectively.
Also, as exclusively revealed by football.london last month, Shim Mheuka is in line to sign a long-term contract extension at Stamford Bridge before heading out on loan. Omari Kellyman, as well, is set to move for the upcoming season.