Chelsea are no strangers to signing young players during the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital era. In fact, they have acquired over 20 players of the age 21 of below since May 2022.
As a result, it is an inevitability that the Blues recruitment team will be casting several eyes on the games that will take place at the Olympic Games in Paris over the coming weeks.
Aside from the three over-age players that are permitted in each squad, the remainder will be 23 or lower, with the standard profile that Chelsea look at these days.
Here, Sports Mole takes a look three players who Chelsea may either target or be left impressed with once they have participated for their respective nations in France.
Desire Doue
© Imago
A whole clutch of clubs have been heavily linked with Rennes winger Desire Doue since the end of the season, Chelsea being one of them.
The 19-year-old contributed just four goals and five assists from his 31 appearances in Ligue 1 during 2023-24, yet the fact that he made more starts than substitute outings suggests that he is highly regarded in the senior ranks.
Doue is allegedly viewed as a 'high-priority' addition by the Chelsea powers-that-be, but his stock may only be further enhanced during his time at the Olympics.
With two years remaining on his contract, Rennes will naturally be giving consideration to offering Doue improved terms in order to keep him at Roazhon Park.
As it stands, the playmaker is said to have a valuation of €40m (33.9m).
Eliesse Ben Seghir
© Imago
Staying on the subject of wingers and Eliesse Ben Seghir looks destined to be one of the great Morocco hope for years to come.
The 19-year-old has already earned four caps for the senior side and will take on a starring role for the Atlas Lions in Paris.
Ben Seghir has accumulated 37 appearances in a Monaco shirt, contributing six goals and five assists, and is already valued in excess of £10m.
With three years remaining on his contract, Monaco are in a strong position to retain his services, but he has the opportunity to enhance his reputation, particularly in the first match against Argentina.
Being capable of being deployed on the left or centrally, either as a playmaker or a forward, Ben Seghir fits the mould of what Chelsea's recruitment team tend to look for in a potential attacking addition.
Benjamin Cremaschi
© Reuters
Given the influx in high-profile players at Inter Miami, you now have to be of a certain quality to hold down a spot in one of the in-form MLS sides.
Benjamin Cremaschi has been doing just that in 2024, making nine starts and five substitute outings from a central-midfield position.
At the start of July, the 19-year-old put in a man-of-the-match display as Inter Miami recorded an important win at Charlotte FC, and a second appearance for the senior USA side may not be too far away.
There are less than 18 months remaining on his contract at Inter Miami, leaving European sides on high alert with regards to a future move.
With Caleb Wiley on the brink of joining either Chelsea or fellow BlueCo side Strasbourg, Boehly and Clearlake Capital have shown that they are interested in adding American players to the club.
Darren Plant
