- 19 hours ago
EXCLUSIVE: Enzo Maresca requests Bayer Leverkusen wonderkid as Chelsea send scouts
Steve Kay
- Updated: 25 Sept 2024 22:27 BST
- 5 min read
Exclusive
Bayer Leverkusen Under-19s midfielder Francis Onyeka is being scouted by Chelsea after Enzo Maresca pinpointed the youngster as a possible addition, FootballTransfers can reveal.
The 17-year-old has already caught the eye of several Premier League clubs, with the Blues and Tottenham being huge admirers.
According to sources close to Maresca, we are informed that the Italian had scouts also watching him while he was in charge at Leicester City. For Chelsea, meanwhile, the wonderkid fits their blueprint of bringing the world’s best young footballers to Stamford Bridge.
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Onyeka is a product of Bayer Leverkusen's youth academy, and he is been called up for Germany Under-18s on several occasions.
The versatile midfielder can operate as a central attacking midfielder, central midfielder, or left winger. Onyeka's strengths include precise passing, incredible vision, and excellent link-up play, something which has impressed Maresca.
Bayer will play hardball
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In April it was reported via Kicker that Bayer will now invest heavily in bringing through young academy players. There is a feeling that the club would be better served bringing in potential future first-team players rather than footballers who directly strengthen the first XI.
Despite being reigning Bundesliga champions, the club feel that they cannot compete financially with 'England and the multi-club-ownership models in the Premier League.'
Simon Rolfes, the club's director, said:: "That is why it is important to train good players in our own academy or sign them at the age of 16, like Florian Wirtz."
Another player who is highly regarded at the club is Onyeka and Bayer will fight tooth and nail to keep him at the BayArena.
