Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli, one of Chelsea’s biggest emerging talents, has committed his future to the club by signing scholarship terms.It is anticipated the 16-year-old will move to a professional contract upon turning 17 in January 2027.The central midfielder, who has already trained with the Chelsea first team, turned down several leading European clubs in favour of continuing his development at Stamford Bridge.He was part of the title-winning Chelsea Under-18 side in the 2025-26 season, also making appearances for the Under-21s and becoming the club’s youngest goalscorer in UEFA Youth League history in a 6-3 group-stage win against Ajax in October.Nicoll-Jazuli has featured internationally in England’s age-group setup, playing for his country’s Under-16s and Under-17s teams. Born in Sydney, he is also eligible to play for Australia, Sudan and France.Arsenal made a similar move with midfielder Max Dowman last year, before he went on to become the youngest player to score a Premier League goal in March.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have seen several academy prospects depart for rival clubs in recent years. In 2024, winger Rio Ngumoha left for Liverpool, while forward Ryan McAidoo joined Manchester City.Nicoll-Jazuli joins a promising cohort of Chelsea academy players including Shumaira Mheuka, Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, Reggie Walsh and Landon Emenalo.How important is this for Chelsea?Analysis by Chelsea correspondent Simon JohnsonIt is a measure of just how important Chelsea viewed securing Nicoll-Jazuli on a new deal that they have been talking to him for over a year about it.Chelsea have been aware of clubs wanting to lure the teenage prodigy away from Stamford Bridge for some time so have been doing their utmost to ensure he signs his first pro deal with them.The club have lost some major talent at the age of 16 in recent years in Jamal Musiala and Rio Ngumoha, who joined Bayern Munich and Liverpool respectively despite Chelsea making very good contract offers.Nicoll-Jazuli joined the club at six years old and has developed into a very talented midfielder that has already been training with the first team.Last season he became the youngest Chelsea player to start a game in the UEFA Youth League — the academy equivalent of the Champions League involving Under-19s — when he was picked to play against Benfica at the age of 15 years and 267 days.The majority of his 35 appearances for the academy last season were for the Under-18s and he made two assists in the 5-1 win over Manchester City two months ago, a result which saw Chelsea crowned Under-18 Premier League national champions. Another sign of his rapid progression is that he also represented the Under-21s on six occasions.Nicoll-Jazuli, who has six England Under-17 caps, can operate as a No 6, No 8 or a No 10 in midfield.
