Xabi Alonso admits Chelsea struggle to maintain quality over course of full game
Xabi Alonso admits Chelsea struggle to maintain quality over course of full game
Chelsea Football Newsletter
Chelsea Football Newsletter
Chelsea have decided to loan out highly rated Under-21s captain Olutayo Subuloye in January.
Standard Sport understands that a number of European clubs have already enquired about the 18-year-old centre-back, and several English clubs are also expected to register their interest.
Subuloye has been on the fringes of Xabi Alonso’s first team this season and trained with the squad at Cobham over the international break, playing 45 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Portsmouth.
He also travelled with the first team on their pre-season tour of Australia and Asia over the summer, playing 179 minutes in total, including the full 90 against Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta'zim in a 3-3 draw.
KINGSTON UPON THAMES, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: Olutayo Subuloye of Chelsea looks on before the Premier League 2 match between Chelsea U21 and West Ham United U21 at Kingsmeadow on August 31, 2026 in Kingston upon Thames, England. (Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Young star: Olutayo Subuloye
During which time, Subuloye was named captain of Chelsea’s Under-21s after leading the club’s Under-18s side to southern and national titles last season.
The England youth international, who is also eligible for Nigeria through his parents, is targeting his competitive first-team debut in the Carabao Cup or the FA Cup this season.
Under contract until 2030, Subuloye is highly regarded internally and will look to follow in the footsteps of Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli and Reggie Watson, who have made their senior debuts under Alonso.
The versatile defender joined Chelsea at Under-12s level from Brighton and started off as a midfielder before moving to centre-back.
Off the pitch, Subuloye achieved an A* in business studies and has impressed Chelsea staff with his leadership and application as he has risen through the age groups.
Chelsea return to Premier League action at home to Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon, looking to bounce back from their 3-0 defeat away to Brentford before the international break.