Chelsea’s teenage defensive sensation Ishe Samuels-Smith could make a permanent switch to RC Strasbourg this summer.
According to a report from Football Insider, Ishe Samuels-Smith could end up parting ways with Chelsea this summer as he is in advanced talks with RC Strasbourg regarding a potential transfer. The teenage defensive sensation is yet to make a senior appearance for the Blues, and a move away could help him get regular first-team minutes.
Samuels-Smith was a part of the Everton youth setup. His impressive performances for their Under-18s caught the attention of Chelsea, who wanted to sign him back in 2022. While the Blues could not secure his services when he was 16, they did manage to add him to their squad next summer.
The youngster has been a part of the London club for two years now, but he is yet to make his professional debut. Despite being a consistent performer for Chelsea and England at the youth level, the 19-year-old full-back has only managed to have a place in Enzo Maresca’s bench on a handful of occasions.
Samuels-Smith could move to France this summer
While the youngster’s contract with the Blues runs until the summer of 2031, he is in talks to leave the club. The highly rated left-back, who is capable enough to play in the heart of the defence, has travelled to France to hold talks with Strasbourg and visit their training ground.
Chelsea and Strasbourg, who are both owned by The BlueCo, are in talks regarding Samuels-Smith’s transfer. The deal could be worth around £5.1 million for the teenager to make the switch from West London to France.
While the Blues do rate him very highly, they have a squad stacked with talent and cannot really guarantee him first-team minutes. As a result, a move away from the club certainly makes sense. Meanwhile, Samuels-Smith’s move to Strasbourg will mean Chelsea would still have some control over his future thanks to the same ownership.
If the teenager does end up making the move to Ligue 1, he will follow Mathis Amougou, who is also joining the French club from Chelsea on a permanent basis.
