Chelsea’s recruitment team continues to scour Ligue 1 for emerging talent, with reports from Fichajes suggesting that Rennes striker Mohamed Kader Meite has become the latest name on their radar.

This comes hot on the heels of the Blues agreeing a deal to sign Strasbourg’s Emanuel Emegha next summer, though fan reaction may push that move forward to January.

At just 17 years old, Meite is already making waves in senior football.

The Ivorian forward has featured in 18 games for Rennes, scoring three goals and providing an assist in 657 minutes of action.

His progression has not gone unnoticed, with several European giants keeping tabs on him, but Chelsea are said to be the most determined to bring him in.

Rennes’ reputation and Chelsea’s youth obsession

Rennes have a proven track record of developing elite footballers, with Ousmane Dembele being one of the most famous examples.

That pedigree makes Meite an exciting prospect for the future, and Chelsea’s interest is unsurprising given their focus on securing the best young talent before rivals can swoop in.

However, questions continue to surround Chelsea’s long-term strategy. Since their ownership change, the Blues have aggressively targeted teenagers and early-20s prospects from across the world.

While this approach has stocked the squad with potential, it has also left the team short of experienced leaders capable of guiding them through the Premier League’s relentless demands.

A gamble that may not pay off

Meite, like Emegha, could develop into a top striker if nurtured properly, but Chelsea’s immediate needs tell a different story.

The club has struggled to find consistency since winning the Club World Cup, and the lack of proven, ready-made stars has only amplified their struggles.

There is nothing inherently wrong with signing Meite — in fact, it could prove to be a masterstroke in the long run.

The issue lies in Chelsea’s apparent overreliance on untested talent at the expense of building a balanced, battle-hardened squad.

Until that imbalance is addressed, the Blues risk continuing their stuttering form, no matter how many wonderkids arrive at Stamford Bridge.