Enzo Maresca reportedly wants Chelsea to sign 17-year-old German wonderkid Francis Onyeka from 2023/24 Bundesliga winners Bayer Leverkusen.
According to a report by Football Transfers, Francis Onyeka is the subject of interest from Chelsea. Enzo Maresca is pushing the West London club to sign the Bayer Leverkusen wonderkid next year. So, the Blues have dispatched scouts to watch the 17-year-old midfield sensation in action for the Bundesliga club’s youth team.
Who is Francis Onyeka?
Francis Onyeka has come leaps and bounds since joining Bayer Leverkusen from SC Borussia Lindenthal-Hohenlind, his first club. The teenage prodigy has rapidly progressed through the ranks in his decade-long association with Die Werkself, and he currently turns out for the Bundesliga club’s under-19 team.
While the 17-year-old has yet to make his first-team bow for Bayer Leverkusen, he was in the matchday squad earlier this season in the DFB Pokal tie with Carl Zeiss Jena. A productive midfielder, Onyeka has turned out 24 times thus far for Bayer Leverkusen’s under-19 team while chipping in with eight goals and one assist.
Meanwhile, Frank Onyeka’s exploits in age-group football have not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs across Europe. Chelsea will be one of the prospective suitors for the German youth international, with Enzo Maresca driving the move for the young midfield prospect.
London calling?
Chelsea’s interest in Francis Onyeka is understandable. The Blues have constantly scoured the market for highly-rated young prospects since Clearlake Capital took over the club from Roman Abramovich two years ago. Since then, several promising prodigies have joined Chelsea, with Kendry Paez and Estevao Willian the most notable signings.
While the duo has yet to arrive at Stamford Bridge, pundits and fans expect a bright future for them. Onyeka might join Paez and Estevao next year, with Chelsea already scouting him in action for Bayer Leverkusen in age-group football. Enzo Maresca hopes the West London outfit can pull off the move for the teenage sensation.
The Chelsea manager also dispatched scouts to watch Onyeka in action when he was in charge of Leicester City. So, it will be interesting to see if Chelsea can finally deliver him the 17-year-old German youth international next year.
