Chelsea winger Ryan Kavuma-McQueen made a statement that he is up to under-21s level, despite still being just 16 years old, in a 3-1 Premier League 2 victory over champions Manchester City on Monday night. City's Lakyle Samuel, 19, looked physically superior in the first few one-v-one duels, but Kavuma-McQueen eventually got the better of his marker, coming close twice when cutting inside and shooting. Kavuma-McQueen also made a rash challenge on goalkeeper Jack Wint to pick up a booking and was substituted in the 62nd minutes for new signing Jesse Derry, who joined in the summer from Crystal Palace.
Chelsea winger Ryan Kavuma-McQueen made a statement that he is up to under-21s level, despite still being just 16 years old, in a 3-1 Premier League 2 victory over champions Manchester City on Monday night.
The youngster initially needed 15 minutes to find his level, but then delighted with a number of actions.
City's Lakyle Samuel, 19, looked physically superior in the first few one-v-one duels, but Kavuma-McQueen eventually got the better of his marker, coming close twice when cutting inside and shooting.
Kavuma-McQueen also made a rash challenge on goalkeeper Jack Wint to pick up a booking and was substituted in the 62nd minutes for new signing Jesse Derry, who joined in the summer from Crystal Palace.
However, he impressed in his eighth appearance and third start at this level.
Kavuma-McQueen's inclusion is an example of the current academy strategy, which follows the first team and partner club Strasbourg in driving down the average age of all their sides.
New Under-21s coach Calum McFarlane's first XI had an average age of 17.7, with Kavuma-McQueen the youngest starter, having been born a few months after fellow 16-year-old Reggie Walsh.
Of course, Walsh has already made his senior debut and is the Blues' third-youngest player - and the youngest in European competition, having played in both Conference League semi-final legs against Djurgarden last season.
The real star was striker Shumaira Mheuka, who scored all three goals - two headers either side of half-time, and another on the counter-attack in the 86th minute to seal victory after Samuel had pulled one back.
It served to highlight Mheuka's readiness, not only to lead the line at academy level, but also knock on the door of Enzo Maresca's first team again, having made his debut last season.
This was an early marker of who is ready to star at this level, who can step up from the lower age groups and whether Chelsea are title contenders while under the leadership of former Manchester City academy boss Glenn van der Kraan.
Category: General Sports
