Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca proved last season his desire to promote youngsters from within. As a result, he should be alerted to the incredible form of one rising star for the Blues Under-21s side.
The Chelsea academy is showing no signs of slowing down each year when it comes to producing exciting talents.
Last season, Tyrique George and Josh Acheampong were both promoted from the youth team to the senior group. Enzo Maresca also used plenty of other prospects in first-team matches, especially in the Conference League.
We hope that history repeats itself and Maresca looks to the academy players when he can.
Speaking after his recent Premier League display against Crystal Palace, Acheampong explained Chelsea’s academy philosophy mirrors the first team with their style of play to make life much easier for anyone who makes the step up.
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca on the grass for a training session at Cobham.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Shumaira Mheuka has started the new season on fire for Chelsea’s U21s
After Filipe Coelho left Chelsea in the summer, Calum McFarlane arrived from Southampton to become the new Under-21s Blues head coach.
It is clear that there is a lot of talent in the group. For example, Chelsea fans raved about their winger Jesse Derry after his recent performance in a Premier League 2 fixture.
It is 17-year-old striker Shumaira Mheuka who’s really stood out at the start of the new season, though.
Date Fixture Competition Chelsea goalscorers
26 August Shrewsbury Town 3-1 Chelsea U21s Football League Trophy Shumaira Mheuka (1)
22 August Newcastle United U21s 0-5 Chelsea U21s Premier League 2 Dujuan Richards (1), Jesse Derry (1), Ryan Kavuma-McQueen (1), Shumaira Mheuka (1), Harrison Murray-Campbell (1)
18 August Chelsea U21s 3-1 Manchester City U21s Premier League 2 Shumaira Mheuka (3)
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As you can see above, Mheuka has scored five goals in the opening three games across all competitions for the U21s. His most recent goal came in Tuesday night’s defeat against League Two club Shrewsbury Town, tapping in a finish inside the penalty box after a well-timed run.
The teenage centre-forward is captaining the U21s and looking a level above right now.
He signed with Blues academy back in 2022 after previously playing at Brighton. Incidentally, Brighton will get 20 per cent of any Mheuka transfer if Chelsea ever decided to sell him.
Shumaira Mheuka celebrates scoring for Chelsea's Under-21s side against Shrewsbury Town in the Football League trophy.
Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Shumaira Mheuka is knocking on Enzo Maresca’s door
If Mheuka keeps this form up for Chelsea’s U21s team, he’ll surely grab the attention of first-team boss Maresca.
In fairness, the English youngster was handed his senior debut at Chelsea last season by Maresca, featuring four times in the Conference League and once in the Premier League.
Will the 2025/26 campaign be the year that Mheuka earns his first-ever Premier League start? At the very least, the powerful forward can make a real case for himself to feature in Chelsea’s domestic cup competitions if he continues scoring at his current rate this season.
Romeo Lavia has backed Mheuka for big things, and we’re super excited about his future.
Joao Pedro and Liam Delap are fighting it out to be Chelsea’s first-choice striker this season, but perhaps there could be room for the odd Mheuka appearance with the first team, especially if Nicolas Jackson leaves in what’s left of the summer transfer window.