Transfer Centre

Chelsea 'take 18-year-old Nigerian protege on trial'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 29 March 2024

Chelsea allegedly hand a trial to highly-regarded Nigerian youngster Hafiz Umar Ibrahim, who recently impressed in a youth tournament in Italy.

Chelsea are allegedly interested in adding yet another highly-regarded global prospect to their ranks in the form of Hafiz Umar Ibrahim.

Since the takeover of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital in May 2022, the Blues have frequently signed prospects, whether that be for the club's academy or senior ranks.

The strategy of the co-owners is to purchase younger players on long contracts, protecting themselves in the expectation that their valuations will eventually increase over time.

In terms of youth players, the acquisition of Ecuadorian starlet Kendry Paez is the most notable example, who must wait until he turns 18 years of age in 2025 before making the switch to English football.

However, taking such an approach in the transfer market throws up all kinds of scenario, and another has seemingly presented itself in recent weeks.

Chelsea co-owner and chairman Todd Boehly in the stands before the match on August 13, 2023 © Reuters

According to The Sun, Chelsea have handed a trial to Ibrahim, who has since spent time at their Cobham training ground.

The 18-year-old is currently a representative of Nigerian outfit Ojodu City, where he is on a contract until February 2026.

Ibrahim has recently featured at a youth tournament in Italy called the Viareggio Cup, where he scored 10 goals in just six appearances.

He was allegedly ready to go on trial with Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt before Chelsea made an effort to tempt him into diverting to London.

Although Ibrahim is said to have arrived in Scandinavia, he ultimately rerouted to England and has since trained at the club's facilities, where he has met Mauricio Pochettino.

Clubs in Italy and Spain are reportedly monitoring the situation in the event that Ibrahim does not sign with Chelsea, who could plausibly allow him to join Strasbourg on loan.

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino on February 12, 2024 © Reuters

Why Strasbourg loan would make little sense

With Chelsea's owners also in control at Strasbourg, there is a natural destination for youth players to spend the next phase of their development.

That has been the case with Brazilian talents Angelo Gabriel and Andrey Santos this season, yet Chelsea are not in a position where they can freely send as many players to France as they wish.

FIFA regulations allow just seven players to be on loan at foreign clubs at any given time, an issue that Chelsea had to deal with in January when some loans did not work as expected during the first half of the season.

With Chelsea well-stocked for prospects, players further into their development in the senior ranks will be shown preference for foreign loans, rather than an unknown quantity such as Ibrahim.