Share

Chelsea youngster Tino Anjorin nearing new deal

Highly rated Chelsea academy graduate Tino Anjorin is close to signing a new long-term deal at Stamford Bridge.

The 18-year-old has more than a year to run on his current Blues deal but is now expected to finalise extended terms to keep him in west London, the PA news agency understands.

Anjorin is the latest in a string of home grown stars to make a Stamford Bridge breakthrough this term, and the move towards a new contract underscores boss Frank Lampard's confidence in the England Under-19 star's potential.

The coronavirus shutdown has thrown up a host of new challenges for Premier League clubs attempting to reshuffle their squads, especially in terms of recruitment.

While all sport is mothballed and travel impossible, clubs are turning to video chats to conduct due diligence on potential signings, which would normally be conducted in person.

The business of recruitment and retention may move more slowly but has not ground to a halt, and Anjorin's fresh deal at Chelsea continues to edge towards completion.

The Premier League's current suspension until 30 April is expected to be extended again, but top-flight bosses remain determined to complete the current campaign.

Former Chelsea and England midfielder Lampard's west London revolution continues to revolve around youth, even though the Stamford Bridge club will be able to buy big in the close season.

Chelsea's transfer ban last summer denied Lampard the opportunity to put his stamp on the squad through new recruits, and the Blues opted against making any signings in the January window.

Blues bosses chose to hang fire in January in a bid to avoid paying above the odds and were quickly rewarded when sealing a £34 million deal to bring Ajax's Hakim Ziyech to Stamford Bridge in the summer.

Chelsea's main transfer priority now is understood to remain at left-back, where Leicester's Ben Chilwell has been a long-term target.

Dorset-born Anjorin joined Chelsea's development centre programme at under-sevens level, officially signing for the club two years later.

The home-grown midfielder made his senior debut when Chelsea thrashed Grimsby 7-1 in the Carabao Cup in September.

And on 8 March he came off the bench for his Premier League bow as the Blues routed Everton 4-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Anjorin's breakthrough has helped Lampard set a new Chelsea record, by handing out eight debuts to academy products at Stamford Bridge this season.

Striker Armando Broja's late cameo in that comfortable Everton victory meant Lampard surpassed the seven debuts handed out by Ted Drake in Chelsea's 1956-57 season.

Mason Mount, Reece James, Billy Gilmour, Marc Guehi, Tariq Lamptey and Ian Maatsen are the others to enjoy first-team debuts under Lampard this term.

Striker Tammy Abraham and defender Fikayo Tomori have established themselves as first-team regulars this season, providing the Blues with two more home-grown success stories.

- TEAMtalk media

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should the Proteas pick Faf du Plessis for the T20 World Cup in West Indies and the United States in June?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Faf still has a lot to give ...
67% - 908 votes
No! It's time to move on ...
33% - 440 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE