Chelsea are on the verge of sealing the services of non-league striker Jayden Wareham of Woking, who was also courted by other Premier League clubs.
According to Daily Telegraph, Jayden Wareham could soon be on the books of Chelsea, as the Premier League giants continue their search for talents from lower leagues of English football. A striker by trade, Wareham currently plies his trade for non-league side Woking FC and has impressed with his performances in the National League.
The youngster had initially started his career with the Queens Park Rangers academy, but he was released in 2019, as he ended up joining the youth ranks of Woking FC. He has since made a major impact and has been promoted to the senior side, with the player already notching up 17 appearances with the fifth-tier outfit.
Wareham’s only real competitive appearance came in this season’s FA Cup when he was involved first round defeat to Gillingham FC, albeit for only four minutes. A move to Chelsea, therefore, will certainly be a welcome step up for the 17-year-old, as he hopes to follow the footsteps of several former non-league players, including Jamie Vardy of Leicester City.
Telegraph are now reporting that Chelsea are to sign Jayden Wareham following a successful trial from Woking. Woking manager Alan Dowson all but confirmed it last Friday. pic.twitter.com/gHcfIPxvzd
— Chelsea Youth (@chelseayouth) April 27, 2021
The Woking forward is likely to be drafted into Chelsea’s Under-18 squad, where he will be given the opportunity to compete in the Under-18 Premier League. The fact that the youngster was courted by other Premier League clubs including Southampton, West Ham United and Leicester suggests that it is only a matter of time before the player earns a promotion to the Elite Development League.
The potential addition of Wareham also suggests the shift in Chelsea’s transfer policy, with the west London giants now emphasizing the influx of young British talents, most likely in the aftermath of Brexit that has made it difficult to sign talents from abroad.
Along with the 17-year-old striker, the Blues have been linked with a host of other talents, including Brighton & Hove Albion whizkid Andrew Moran, though they could face stiff competition from league rivals Manchester United.
Either way, Thomas Tuchel is sure to be gifted with the option of having a bunch of talented kids at his disposal next season, in addition to the star players that produced quite a performance in Chelsea’s recent draw with Real Madrid, in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final.
