Chelsea target Nigerian teen sensation Abduljelil Kamaldeen
Chelsea are stepping up their efforts to sign 16-year-old Nigerian prodigy Abduljelil Kamaldeen, currently showcasing his talent at the U20 World Cup in Chile.
Despite his youth, Kamaldeen impressed in a brief substitute appearance during Nigeria’s narrow 1-0 defeat to Norway, and he’s expected to start in the upcoming group match against Saudi Arabia.
According to The Sun, Chelsea have identified Kamaldeen as a priority signing for the January transfer window.
The Kwara Football Academy standout first caught the Blues’ attention during the WAFU Zone B U20 Boys Cup in Ghana, where he starred from the left wing, delivering decisive performances in the semi-final and final, and scoring in a 4-1 win over Benin.
Kamaldeen’s versatility has drawn comparisons to Nigerian icon Jay Jay Okocha and current Premier League midfielder Alex Iwobi. Though primarily a winger, he’s equally effective in a central playmaker role, often operating as a number 10.
Chelsea’s global scouting network has dispatched multiple representatives to Chile to monitor Kamaldeen’s progress. The club places particular emphasis on identifying young talents who excel against older competition, Kamaldeen fits that mold perfectly.
Kamaldeen isn’t the only rising Nigerian star on Chelsea’s radar. The club recently signed 16-year-old striker Chizaram Ezenwata from Charlton Athletic.
Eligible to represent Nigeria, England, and Cameroon, Ezenwata was reportedly withheld from international duty by Chelsea, preventing him from joining Kamaldeen at the U20 World Cup.
