Tuesday evening saw Kazakhstani side Kairat Almaty have qualified for the Champions League for the first time in their history, with one of Chelsea’s brightest stars joining them in the group stages.
Dastan Satpaev was unable to play in the second leg of their play-off tie against Celtic, however they held their nerve to beat the Scottish champions on penalties.
Satpaev had produced heroics across their lengthy qualification campaign, scoring three goals on their route to making it to the group stages.
The 17-year-old’s parent club, Chelsea, will be in pot one of the draw, and as per the new rules of the competition will play two sides in each of the four pots.
Celtic v Kairat Almaty - UEFA Champions League Play-offs Round First Leg
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Can Dastan Satpaev play against Chelsea in the Champions League group stages?
This gives them at least a 25% chance of facing Kairat, however given Satpaev is set to move to Stamford Bridge in 2026, there is a question over whether the talented youngster will be able to play against them in this circumstance.
According to The Sun, the striker would be eligible to line up against Enzo Maresca’s side in what would be a similar scenario that Estevao Willian had in the Club World Cup quarter-final.
Satpaev became the youngest goalscorer in Champions League history earlier this season, and will no doubt be keen to make an impression in what would essentially be his first audition in front of the Blues.
The Blues have made it part of their transfer policy to beat other top sides to wonderkids around the world, and there is excitement that there is another gem on his way to West London.
A view of the draw balls during UEFA Champions League 2022/23 Round of 16 Draw
Photo by Kristian Skeie UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
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Chelsea extremely excited about Satpaev
The likes of Estevao, Kendry Paez and Geovany Quenda represent an exciting future at Stamford Bridge, and the striker can now certainly be added to that list.
Chelsea have a coach working with Satpaev in Kazakhstan in order to prepare him for life as a Premier League player in less than 12 months’ time.
Chelsea fans are excited by Satpaev, and have faith that the young players they are signing can genuinely make it at the club after the evidence shown this season by Estevao and Andrey Santos.
The Blues have been told they have ‘hit the jackpot’ with Satpaev, and supporters could well get their first proper viewing of him at Stamford Bridge this season.