Chelsea set to snap up 15-year-old wonderkid whose dad is Arsenal cult hero

Chelsea are reportedly set to further their already large squad with a 15-year-old wonderkid who is the son of an Arsenal icon.

In the 2022/23 season, Chelsea spent £747m on transfers for big players. Now, the Blues are looking to expand their academy. They are in talks with Watford in regards to compensation for 15-year-old Mathis Eboue, according to the Daily Mail.

Eboue is the son of Emmanuel Eboue, former Arsenal defender. The Ivory Coast international made 132 appearances for the Gunners. Although he never won anything whilst in London, he was part of the Arsenal team that were runners up in the Champions League in 2006.

Now, it is his son who will look to carry the Eboue name into London football history. Although Mathis is only 15, he often plays in the higher age group squads for Watford - even appearing for their Under-21s.

He has also been doing well for his national side. He scored the winner for England's Under-16s to take the U16 Challenge Trophy title in Spain, beating France 1-0.

The move to Chelsea will be subject to the Premier League's five-step process. This is a procedure that is undertaken when compensation is payable. One of the steps involves a third party conducting interviews with the players parents and/or guardians as well as both clubs.

It is designed to stop clubs from breaching Youth Development Rules. Once all steps have been taken, and the authorities feel that the move is legit, the player can move club.

Some Watfords fans weren't even aware of the young player being at their academy. One fan on a Hornets forum said: "I didn't even know we had his son at the club or that he was highly rated... but seems we are losing Emmanuel Eboue's son to Chelsea."

Although it isn't clear what the compensation to Watford will be, we can judge previous Chelsea transfers for young players which would give us an idea.

Two players who Chelsea swiped from the Brighton academy were Zak Sturge and Shim Mheuka. A compensation could not be agreed so these went to a tribunal. Sturge ended up costing the Blues £3.4m after an initial £900k payment, and Mhueka went from £1m to £4.25m. He was only 14 at the time of the move.

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Chelsea FC
Chelsea Black Friday deals

Chelsea fans can bag a big saving for Black Friday, with 25% off the 2024/25 Home Shirt and 30% off this Stamford Bridge 3D Wall Art.

You can also save 20% on a Stamford Bridge Stadium Tour from Buyagift with the code BF20.

from £23.19

Various
Shop here