Chelsea Hand First Team Opportunity To 6ft 5 Defender Who Has Been Compared To A Young Van Dijk

Chelsea Hand First Team Opportunity To 6ft 5 Defender Who Has Been Compared To A Young Van Dijk

Chelsea centre-back Xavier Mbuyamba has revealed that he has been training with the first team during the international break.

The 19-year-old was signed from Barcelona in the summer of 2020, and while it has taken him a while to make a breakthrough, the Dutchman says he is delighted to have been given the opportunity to prove himself alongside the senior players:

“A moment I’ve been working towards since joining this incredible club. Truly blessed to be training with the first team this week. Lots to learn, and my motivation is on another level right now!”

The Blues battled hard to win the race for Mbuyamba’s signature last year, beating off a whole host of top European clubs. The teenager has been compared to a young Virgil van Dijk; both due to his height and style of play. Despite still being young, the defender already stands stall at 6ft 5 and he has a decent passing range.

Mbuyamba still has a way to go before he is given first-team action by manager Thomas Tuchel, though. The centre-half is expected to return to the Under 23s once the internationals are over.