Chelsea impressed with Flying Eagles striker Adeleke after dazzled during recent trials

FLYING Eagles striker Abdulmuiz Adeleke could be on the verge of joining English Premier League giants Chelsea as soon as he hits 18 after he impressed the club's coaches during recent trials in London.                   

Adeleke, 17, who came through the ranks of Nigeria's U17 team the Golden Eaglets, currently plies his trade with Sporting Supreme Football Club of Abuja. A left-footed centre forward, Adeleke is currently with the Flying Eagles at the ongoing Wafu B U20 Championship in Ivory Coast, where he scored two goals in the opening game against Ghana.

According to Ismail Hamza, the general manager of Sporting Supreme, several top European clubs, led by Chelsea, are keeping tabs on Adeleke with a view to signing him once he reaches 18. It has been reported that the striker has already signed a preliminary contract with Chelsea but even if he has, he will not be eligible to play for the Blues even after turning 18 under Fifa rules.

Even then, Adeleke would struggle to get a work permit in England as he is yet to feature for Nigeria at senior level, meaning Chelsea would end up sending out on loan to a continental European club.  Mr Hamza added that Adeleke previously trained with both Chelsea and Ligue One outfit Strasbourg, leaving a positive impression with both clubs.

Mr Hamza said: "He trained with Chelsea and from the training session, there's interest from them. He also went to Strasbourg and trained there. When he is 18, we will see where he will go.

"Muiz Adeleke is a player of Sporting Supreme. There is much interest from many big clubs watching him in Ivory Coast. At his age, before you can see this level, it is very hard."

He added that Chelsea are not the only club keeping tabs on the teenager, noting that several top European sides have been watching him closely during the regional tournament in Ivory Coast. Nigeria will be playing its second game in the Wafu B tournament tonight when the Flying Eagles take on Togo.