Chelsea have handed scholarship deals to Redon Rabbaj and Junior Eboue as part of their long-term plans at Cobham. The Blues still have the best young players, with both having big roles to play at U18 level next season.
Rabbaj and Eboue Step Up at Cobham
Central midfielder Redon Rrabaj, a former Albania youth international with the strength and vision to pull off a killer pass between the lines, has shown a maturity beyond his years so far. He featured regularly for Chelsea’s U18s last season and now takes the next step in his development.
Beside him, fellow center back Junior Mathis Eboue provides pace and strength. Leadership at the back has been shown by the England starlet and he also brings with him the kind of physicality and composure that Chelsea value with their defensive targets.
The pair have featured in some big games in the academy season of 2023/24 and praised for their dependability and level of skill by staff. Their scholarships not only acknowledge the progress they have achieved but are also an investment in what is yet to come.
Chelsea’s Youth Strategy in Motion
The new deals are in line with Chelsea’s wider strategy to develop players from their own academy and maintain Cobham’s status as one of Europe’s elite academies. The club have been busily re-populating its youth ranks this summer, and announced scholarship agreements elsewhere with other names, such as England U18 goalkeeper Freddy Bernal.
The new regime has stepped up Chelsea’s youth-centric approach, and coach Maresca plans to heavily rely on their academy strength during the upcoming season. Scholarships such as these provide a path to a senior contract and first team football for the best performing players.
With Rabbaj and Eboue secured, Chelsea are also future-proofing their squad by purchasing raw talent that could develop into tomorrow’s superstars.
As featured on Chelseanews.com
