LONDON, England – Chelsea FC has announced the inclusion of 17-year-old midfielder Landon Emenalo in their squad for the UEFA Conference League quarter-final second leg against Legia Warsaw. The match is set to take place at Stamford Bridge tonight, with the Blues looking to secure a strong position after their impressive 3-0 victory in Poland last week.
Emenalo’s call-up comes after a series of standout performances across Chelsea’s Under-18 and Under-21 teams. He has been training alongside the senior squad in the lead-up to this crucial match, marking a significant milestone in his burgeoning career.
Born on January 18, 2008, Emenalo signed with Chelsea’s academy at the Under-8 level before a brief stint at AS Monaco, where his father, Michael Emenalo, served as technical director. Returning to the Blues at Under-13 level, Landon has consistently progressed, making 31 appearances for Chelsea’s Under-18s this season, scoring his first goal against Leicester City in the Premier League.
Having made 11 appearances for the Under-21s, Emenalo has proven his versatility by adapting to various positions, including center-back. He is known for his creativity and confidence on the ball, attributes that have not gone unnoticed by Chelsea’s coaching staff.
In an interview, Chelsea’s manager stated, “Landon’s commitment and skill have earned him this opportunity. We want to continue to invest in our young talent, and Emenalo’s debut could set a new benchmark for what our academy players can achieve.”
Emenalo’s debut could be historic as he is in line to become one of the youngest players to represent Chelsea in European competition, especially with other academy stars like Shumaira Mheuka already making their marks this season in the tournament.
He has also represented both the USA and England at youth levels, recently playing for England’s Under-17 team, further highlighting his potential in professional football.
With Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca focusing on integrating more youth players into the first team, tonight’s match serves as a pivotal opportunity for Emenalo and other young stars to showcase their talents on the international stage.
