Chelsea have beaten Manchester United and others in pursuit of Dutch prodigy Jayden Braaf, who is reportedly due to begin training with the Blues.
According to Daily Mail, Chelsea have completed another impressive swoop, this time of a teenage sensation that had been courting offers from almost every top club. Dutch prodigy Jayden Braaf, who has already played for PSV and Ajax, has rejected offers from Holland, an approach from Manchester United and several other clubs to reach an agreement with Chelsea.
The report entails West Ham, Manchester City, Bayern Munich had all pursued Braaf, who also had offers from within his homeland. But, the Netherlands youth international has reportedly opted to join Chelsea’s project and is set to begin training with the Blues soon.
Jayden Braaf is one of the many up-and-coming talents in Netherlands. The 15-year-old is a natural striker, but his ability to play on either wing is an added asset and makes him even more dangerous, with the youngster constantly on the move. Braaf’s agent and uncle, Stefano van Delden confirmed Braaf’s decision.
He said,“ We have reached an agreement in principle for Jayden to join Chelsea. But it is a verbal agreement. Nothing has yet been put in writing.”
Amsterdam-born Braaf has emanated from the Ajax academy before joining local club AFC in 2013 and eventually, PSV the year after. Braaf came under everyone’s radar after impressive performances for PSV’s youth sides. To add to it, he has 5 international caps for the Under-15 Dutch side, with a goal to show for his efforts.
@ChelseaFC have agreed a deal to sign Jayden Braaf, a 15-year old PSV Eindhoven and Dutch forward, who chose the Blues over a move to either Man United and Man City. (Metro) #Chelsea #CFC pic.twitter.com/afCNlZCHj2
— Everything CFC (@WillMarshallCFC) March 28, 2018
Chelsea already boast an envious youth side, with the Blues regarded as one of the best youth setups in footballing world. The Under-18s are in the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup, a competition they would be winning for a fifth straight season if they manage to get their hands on it.
Add to it the fact that Chelsea are also in the semi-finals of the UEFA Youth League, having knocked out Real Madrid in the Quarter-Finals, and there are visible validations for the Blues’ continuous recruitment of gems. However, the lack of pathway into the first-team could be a stifling factor.
Manchester United, on the other hand, have been undergoing a youth revamp of sorts – one headed by former player Nicky Butt. The Red Devils have brought in several young talents but would be gutted to lose out on Braaf, after securing the services of Tahith Chong and Millen Baars, both of whom hail from Holland.
Only time will tell what the future holds for Braaf. For now, his focus will be on continuing his development, albeit at Chelsea, a club famed for one of the best academies, but not necessarily for bringing through youngsters and integrating them into the senior team.
Chelsea have beaten Manchester United and others in pursuit of Dutch prodigy Jayden Braaf, who is reportedly due to begin training with the Blues.
According to Daily Mail, Chelsea have completed another impressive swoop, this time of a teenage sensation that had been courting offers from almost every top club. Dutch prodigy Jayden Braaf, who has already played for PSV and Ajax, has rejected offers from Holland, an approach from Manchester United and several other clubs to reach an agreement with Chelsea.
The report entails West Ham, Manchester City, Bayern Munich had all pursued Braaf, who also had offers from within his homeland. But, the Netherlands youth international has reportedly opted to join Chelsea’s project and is set to begin training with the Blues soon.
Jayden Braaf is one of the many up-and-coming talents in Netherlands. The 15-year-old is a natural striker, but his ability to play on either wing is an added asset and makes him even more dangerous, with the youngster constantly on the move. Braaf’s agent and uncle, Stefano van Delden confirmed Braaf’s decision.
He said,“ We have reached an agreement in principle for Jayden to join Chelsea. But it is a verbal agreement. Nothing has yet been put in writing.”
Amsterdam-born Braaf has emanated from the Ajax academy before joining local club AFC in 2013 and eventually, PSV the year after. Braaf came under everyone’s radar after impressive performances for PSV’s youth sides. To add to it, he has 5 international caps for the Under-15 Dutch side, with a goal to show for his efforts.
@ChelseaFC have agreed a deal to sign Jayden Braaf, a 15-year old PSV Eindhoven and Dutch forward, who chose the Blues over a move to either Man United and Man City. (Metro) #Chelsea #CFC pic.twitter.com/afCNlZCHj2
— Everything CFC (@WillMarshallCFC) March 28, 2018
Chelsea already boast an envious youth side, with the Blues regarded as one of the best youth setups in footballing world. The Under-18s are in the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup, a competition they would be winning for a fifth straight season if they manage to get their hands on it.
Add to it the fact that Chelsea are also in the semi-finals of the UEFA Youth League, having knocked out Real Madrid in the Quarter-Finals, and there are visible validations for the Blues’ continuous recruitment of gems. However, the lack of pathway into the first-team could be a stifling factor.
Manchester United, on the other hand, have been undergoing a youth revamp of sorts – one headed by former player Nicky Butt. The Red Devils have brought in several young talents but would be gutted to lose out on Braaf, after securing the services of Tahith Chong and Millen Baars, both of whom hail from Holland.
Only time will tell what the future holds for Braaf. For now, his focus will be on continuing his development, albeit at Chelsea, a club famed for one of the best academies, but not necessarily for bringing through youngsters and integrating them into the senior team.