Chelsea are reportedly hot on the trail of Nigeria U20 international Abduljelil Kamaldeen, with scouts tracking the highly-rated teenager at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, according to the Sun.

Abduljelil Kamaldeen rising through the ranks

At just 16 years old, Kamaldeen is already attracting serious European interest. Currently playing his football at Kwara Football Academy, he made headlines after a lively cameo against Norway earlier this week.

Coming off the bench, the youngster nearly salvaged a result for Nigeria with a powerful late run into the box, despite facing opponents several years older.

His impact has raised expectations that he will start in the Flying Eagles’ next group-stage match against Saudi Arabia. The excitement surrounding him has only intensified, with Chelsea now moving quickly to monitor his progress.

Chelsea scouts in Chile

Reports suggest the Blues’ scouts are in Chile to observe a number of promising youngsters competing above their age groups.

Kamaldeen has emerged as a top target after previously impressing at the WAFU B Zone B tournament in Ghana, where he scored against Benin and played a key role in Nigeria’s run to the final.

Comparisons and potential

Kamaldeen’s playing style has drawn comparisons to Fulham star Alex Iwobi, and some within Nigeria even believe he could develop into a talent reminiscent of the legendary Jay-Jay Okocha.

His flair, vision, and ability to drive at defenders have quickly made him a fan favourite back home.

Chelsea’s African connection

Chelsea’s pursuit of Kamaldeen also ties into a long history with African talent. The club has seen legends like Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, and Salomon Kalou play defining roles in their success.

Nigerian stars have also left their mark, from Celestine Babayaro and John Obi Mikel to Victor Moses, Ola Aina, and Kenneth Omeruo.

This rich heritage has given Chelsea one of the largest fan bases in Africa, particularly in Nigeria. Should Kamaldeen make the move to Stamford Bridge, that bond is only likely to deepen further.