Chelsea appear to have made their first move of the January transfer window by submitting a bid for one highly-rated young winger, with BlueCo getting a reply.
The Blues’ aggressive youth-led recruitment model shows no signs of slowing down as the club continues pursuing elite teenage prospects across Europe.
Enzo Maresca’s side are currently monitoring Eintracht Frankfurt’s Niko Ilicevic, a 15-year-old attacking midfielder described as a “mega-talent” who recently impressed scouts during a Youth League clash against Barcelona.
The German Under-16 international, already influential in Frankfurt’s Under-19 setup despite his age, has reportedly attracted attention from the likes of Real Madrid, AC Milan, Tottenham and Newcastle, though Chelsea’s systematic approach positions them favorably.
This pursuit continues a clear pattern established since BlueCo’s takeover.
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Chelsea have struck deals for an array of exciting talents in recent years, like Estevao Willian, Andrey Santos, Kendry Paez and Dastan Satpaev, among many others, while recently finalising an agreement for 16-year-old Burkina Faso talent Muhammad Zongo.
The strategy targets players years before they reach their prime, offering lengthy contracts that provide both financial control and development time.
Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola publicly endorsed the model, claiming it works “very well” despite criticism regarding squad balance and excessive youth without experience.
“It seems the model is working, and is working very well,” Zola is quoted saying on X.
“I have to say Maresca has done an amazing job, because he’s given to the whole team a structure. Everybody knows what they’re doing.
“And to think that nowadays we are playing without our best player, Cole Palmer because of injury and we are still performing well, and getting results. It is remarkable.”
Now, according to French newspaper L’Equipe, they have their eyes on yet another hot property.
Chelsea get reply after submitting bid for St Etienne’s Djylian N’Guessan
As per their information, Chelsea have seen an initial £7 million offer for Saint-Étienne sensation Djylian N’Guessan rejected, with the Ligue 2 club demanding at least £11 million for their 17-year-old prodigy.
The France Under-20 international represents Chelsea’s latest attempt to raid Saint-Étienne’s academy, following their £12.5 million capture of midfielder Mathis Amougou in February.
BlueCo — who own both Chelsea and RC Strasbourg — employed a similar trajectory with Amougou, immediately selling him to their French sister club with a favourable buy-back clause.
N’Guessan emerged dramatically in January when he became Saint-Étienne’s youngest debutant since 1978 at just 16 years, four months. L’Equipe also describe him as ‘one of the most promising players of his generation’.
He made eight Ligue 1 appearances for Saint-Étienne before the club’s relegation last season, showcasing impressive ability that attracted attention during France’s Under-20 World Cup campaign in Chile.
However, relationships between the striker’s family and Saint-Étienne have deteriorated significantly.
N’Guessan refuses to extend his contract beyond June 2027 despite repeated offers from club ownership Kilmer Sports Ventures. His father, Dany N’Guessan, a former pro who played extensively in England, is reportedly pushing for a Premier League move too.
Arsenal and Brentford have also expressed interest, though Chelsea remain the most aggressive suitors, and a January transfer for N’Guessan is seen as very realistic.
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