Chelsea scouting young starlet Niko Ilicevic | OneFootball

Chelsea are closely monitoring Eintracht Frankfurt prodigy Niko Ilicevic, according to BILD.

Since the BlueCo takeover, Chelsea have moved early for elite prospects, snapping up Estevao Willian, Andrey Santos, Kendry Paez, Aaron Anselmino, and more.

That approach has continued in recent weeks. Chelsea agreed a deal last month for centre-back Deinner Ordonez.

The Blues have now also finalised an agreement to sign 16-year-old Burkina Faso talent Muhammad Zongo from Sporting Cascade FC.

Ilicevic now appears to be firmly on that same radar at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea scouts were among a cluster of Europe’s top clubs tracking the 15-year-old attacking midfielder during Eintracht’s recent Youth League clash versus Barcelona.

The Chelsea target reportedly dazzled in that game and earmarked himself as one of the standout talents of his age group on the continent.

Born in 2010, Ilicevic only turned 15 at the end of October, yet he is already considered one of the most influential players in Eintracht’s Under-19 side and a ‘mega-talent’.

Frankfurt tested him in two friendly matches against amateur clubs with the first team at the end of last season. He scored two goals.

However, because Ilicevic was 14 at the time (still too young to play according to the rules), Eintracht Frankfurt were fined €20,000.

A left-footed playmaker with confidence well beyond his years, the German Under-16 international scored against Barcelona and also won a decisive free-kick.

His performance caught the eye of scouts from Chelsea, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Tottenham Hotspur, and Newcastle United.

Inside Frankfurt, sporting director Markus Krosche has openly praised Ilicevic’s physical and technical development, describing him as “very, very advanced” for his age.

He also wants the club to carefully manage his pathway.

That will not deter Chelsea’s interest, given their aggressive youth-led recruitment strategy under the BlueCo ownership.

Frankfurt will likely fight tooth and nail to stave off any interest in the youngster, whether from the Blues or any other European club.

They have a knack for improving players and selling them for big money, and if they feel they can repeat the trick with Ilicevic in the coming years, they will put up a fight.