Chelsea make approach for Nigerian teenage sensation Abduljelil Kamaldeen | OneFootball

Chelsea have launched a move for Nigerian midfielder Abduljelil Kamaldeen (h/t Footy Africa).

He starred for Nigeria at the most recent FIFA Under-20 World Cup, where he put his name on the radar of several European clubs in recent months.

However, according to Kwara Football Academy director Ibrahim Bako, only Chelsea have moved to sign the 16-year-old.

“We’ve had inquiries, but Chelsea are the only team who have actually put something forward for him,” Bako told Footy Africa.

“Whatever we do will be in the best interest of the boy. His development and comfort come first.”

Kamaldeen has been described as a ‘technically gifted’ midfielder with strong ball-carrying and creative qualities.

The Blues are believed to be working toward a scholarship deal that would bring him into their development pathway.

Kamaldeen could follow in the footsteps of fellow Nigerians Emmanuel Sarki and John Obi Mikel, the latter of whom won three Premier League titles with Chelsea.

His potential arrival continues a pattern that has become a defining feature of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital’s project.

Chelsea have been aggressive and unrelenting in their bid to secure some of the most exciting teenagers in world football.

In the past year alone, the Blues have wrapped up deals for Deinner Ordonez, Dastan Satpaev, Denner, Estevao and Geovany Quenda.

They have assembled an eye-catching collection of starlets. It is an enviable long-term blueprint, but one that continues to draw scrutiny.

While Chelsea’s youth pipeline is arguably the most ambitious in Europe, critics question whether this future-first strategy has come at the expense of present-day stability.

With the first team still battling inconsistency, some people fear the club’s obsession with tomorrow may be hindering their ability to win today.