Chelsea keeping tabs on talented 18-year-old League One sensation | OneFootball

Transfer News: Chelsea are interested in Charlton Athletic teenager Mason Burstow

According to journalist Nizaar Kinsella on Twitter (h/t football.london), Chelsea are interested in signing Charlton Athletic teenage sensation Mason Burstow. However, the Blues are expected to face competition given the number of clubs that are tracking the player.

Coming through the youth ranks at Charlton, the 18-year-old striker made his senior debut for the club in the EFL trophy, even managing to score on his maiden appearance for the first team. The goal helped his side brush past Crawley Town in a 6-1 win for the home side.

With the interest surrounding the forward, Burstow may just find himself representing a new club come February, as it is reported that he could make a move away from The Valley before Monday’s winter transfer window deadline.

Chelsea may be a big pull for the teenager, but they could face competition from an unnamed Premier League side for the striker’s signature. The English top-flight clubs are all in the market this month to try and add reinforcements to their sides. With the transfer window set to close in a few days, clubs have begun to wind down their transfer activity and it remains to be seen if Chelsea still; have it in them to land Burstow.

An upcoming talent

Although head coach Thomas Tuchel will be prioritising defensive recruits before the deadline on Monday, the Blues will be eager to add more youth players to their side, further developing them at Cobham. English football seems to be producing a lot of young gems of late, and topsides like Chelsea will always need to keep an eye out for players that can add quality to their side.

Burstow’s progress is remarkable, considering that he is only 18 years of age and is already plying his trade in League One for Charlton. It shows that the youngster has the quality and talent, and Chelsea will do well to snap him up and develop him further.

Chelsea are one of a number of clubs tracking Charlton’s 18-year-old striker Mason Burstow. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

If we do manage to strike a deal to bring Burstow to Stamford Bridge, then it is expected that the youngster will spend time at our youth academy and represent the reserves. The jump up from League One to the Premier League is massive, given the gulf in quality and pace of the game, not to mention expectations.

Cobham has recently produced bright attackers, with another Blues starlet Armando Broja proving just that in the English top-flight. Currently on-loan at Southampton, the Albanian has established himself as a regular starter with the Saints, leading the line at such a young age for a Premier League side.

Despite the youth academy’s success, Chelsea have recently seen a few youth players leave the club in an attempt to gain more minutes elsewhere. Tammy Abraham, Tariq Lamptey and Tino Livramento all have departed the Bridge in search of regular time elsewhere.

Although it remains to be seen whether Burstow can match up to the same levels as other Chelsea youngsters, the interest and hype in the teenager certainly indicate that he has the potential to do so. Whether the Blues can get the deal over the line in the next few days remains to be seen.