Exciting winger Kavuma-McQueen to stay at Chelsea

Chelsea are set to seal the signing of winger Ryan Kavuma-McQueen on a long-term contract.

The 16-year-old is ready to commit to Chelsea on his 17th birthday and sign his first professional contract despite interest from other top clubs.

The Blues are expected to avoid a repeat of the situation that saw Rio Ngumoha join Liverpool from Chelsea in 2024.

Kavuma-McQueen is regarded as potentially the top attacking talent at Chelsea. He is currently playing against players many years his senior in the Under-21s league this season and has taken part in multiple first-team training sessions.

The youngster also made headlines by scoring four goals in England Under-17s 7-5 win over Germany during the international break.

He is part of an exciting generation of teenage footballers that Chelsea's academy technical director Glenn van der Kraan and head of academy recruitment Delroy Ebanks are looking to tie down to new contracts.

While they have been active in the transfer market, Chelsea believe that they have shown youngsters there is a pathway into the first team with flagship talents Reece James, Levi Colwill, Trevoh Chalobah and now Josh Acheampong having substantial roles under manager Enzo Maresca.

Maresca gave a club-record eight debuts to academy players last season.