Chelsea has acquired a record-breaking 'goal-scoring machine'

Chelsea's approach to utilizing players from their academy is facing severe criticism under Clearlake Capital's ownership, as numerous homegrown talents are being sold for profit.

Despite criticism over their academy policy, Chelsea continues to produce top young talents, with many currently representing England’s youth teams, and several expected to join Enzo Maresca’s first team in the near future.

Shumaira Mheuka is the latest standout name at Stamford Bridge, excelling as a central forward.

Mheuka is currently the club’s biggest hope in the “number 9” role. Experts even believe he has the potential to succeed Harry Kane in the England national team, reflecting the high expectations placed on him.

Mheuka’s debut Premier LeagueHe played for Brighton & Hove Albion’s U18 team at just 14 years old before quickly progressing after joining Chelsea in 2022.

The English player scored 12 goals in 20 matches for Chelsea’s U18 side in the 2023-24 season, then shone for England’s U17 team at the European Championship that same year.

Since then, the English prodigy has rapidly advanced through Chelsea’s youth system and was named in the first-team squad for the first time in the match against Panathinaikos in October 2024.

He later became the youngest player in Chelsea’s history to start in a European competition, featuring in the starting lineup under coach Enzo Maresca against Copenhagen in the Europa Conference League at 17 years and 137 days old.

Mheuka finished the 2024-25 season with five first-team appearances before being appointed captain of Chelsea’s U21 team at just 17. The 2025-26 season started impressively for him with 10 goals in 9 games for the U21s and 7 goals in 5 matches for England’s U19 team.

With England currently lacking quality central strikers following Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins, Mheuka is seen as a strong candidate for the national team in the coming years if he continues to develop well at Chelsea.

Although competition for a starting spot at Stamford Bridge is fierce due to a packed attacking lineup, Mheuka is regarded as one of Europe’s best young center-forwards, and coach Maresca has begun giving him opportunities with the first team.

His sharp finishing, intelligent movement inside the box, versatile link-up play, along with his physique and aerial ability, have earned Mheuka the reputation of a “complete number 9.” He regularly trains with the first team, and his breakthrough at the highest level is only a matter of time.

Having just signed his first professional contract with Chelsea, the London club does not currently worry about rivals approaching him. Nevertheless, with such potential, many Premier League clubs will surely monitor his progress in the coming years.

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