- 8 hours ago
Chelsea wonderkid pens new deal
Jacque Talbot
- Updated: 24 Oct 2024 14:09 BST
- 6 min read
Chelsea academy player Shumaira Mheuka has put pen to paper on his first professional Chelsea contract.
The youngster was a scholar with the club but, having turned 17 years old, has signed a professional contract, the club have confirmed.
Mheuka played for the Under-18s as during his school years. Last season, he netted 12 goals in 20 appearances, with one coming in the Premier League national final at Stamford Bridge.
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The teenager saw a promotion last term, joining the Blues Under-21s squad. He scored his first goal there during Chelsea's 6-0 thumping of Fulham last month.
Chelsea have confirmed that he will be part of their travelling squad for tonight's UEFA Conference League clash with Greek outfit Panathinaikos.
Mheuka featured in England's European Under-17 Championship journey over the summer.
Chelsea and Acheampong stand off
It comes after the reports that Chelsea and Josh Acheampong are facing a standoff over a long-term deal. It's thought that the Blues were surprised that an initial contract extension wasn't signed, according to reports.
Reports emerged earlier this week that the player had been frozen out of the first team after he did not agree terms. But today The Telegraph have told how Chelsea felt they have been jilted.
The defender, who has 18 months left on his current contract, will not play for the current club or the youth outfit as the club looks to solve the ongoing situation. The club ultimately felt that the player had moved the goalposts in terms of his new deal.
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The publication stated today: "Chelsea were left bewildered when they found out the contract would not be signed, but remain keen to try to find a compromise with 18-year-old Acheampong, who they rate highly.
"Chelsea believe they have demonstrated to Acheampong and their other talented young players that there is a pathway to the first team and a willingness to give homegrown talent a chance."
The outlet also stressed that the Blues "are not the only club to take such a stance over a young player who has not committed their long-term future to the club."
Elite clubs such as Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and even Real Madrid have been linked with Acheampong as the situation continues.
He has featured for the first team already this season, coming on as a substitute against Barrow in the Carabao Cup.
Speaking to the Telegraph earlier this year, Chelsea sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart spoke about how the academy is of vital importance.
Winstanley said: “It’s really important for us to bring through players. We’ve got Tyrique George at the moment who’s going well. Josh [Acheampong] has had a debut. Kiano [Dyer] is really close. We’ve got Shim [Mheuka] who’s coming through in the academy, who we’re really excited about.”
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