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Chelsea 'closing in' on sixth new signing with 'next Leighton Baines' joining Pochettino
Chelsea have already been busy in the summer transfer window.
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Chelsea are reportedly closing in on the signing of Everton talent Ishe Samuels-Smith to land Mauricio Pochettino his sixth addition of the summer transfer window. The Blues have reportedly courted left-back Samuels-Smith for some time and are finally set to acquire the England youth international.
Samuels-Smith is one of the most highly-rated stars of Everton’s productive academy, reportedly earning comparisons to Toffees legend Leighton Baines. He featured twice in first-team squads last season and is well liked by head coach Sean Dyche.
The 17-year-old was an unused substitute in a Carabao Cup defeat by Bournemouth earlier in the season. He then appeared on the bench again in a Premier League clash with Fulham in April.
Samuels-Smith played 30 times for Everton’s U18 side and a further 19 times for the U21s last season. His performances have caught the attention of several top clubs, with a move now believed to be likely.
According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea are closing in on the £4million signing of the 2006-born defender, who has played for England from U15 to U17 level. Figures within Everton reportedly believed he could be the next Baines.
Everton boss Dyche said after handing the teenager a call-up to a Premier League matchday squad for the first time: “That’s part of being a Premier League player. You have to deal with stress and pressure all of the time.
“Ishe, a young kid, is on the bench today and I said: ‘Brilliant day for you son because you'll learn what it really is’. The good stuff always looks after itself.”
Samuels-Smith would become Chelsea’s sixth signing of the summer at various age group levels. Pochettino has already welcomed Christopher Nkunku, whose £52m arrival from RB Leipzig was sorted long before the Argentine was appointed.
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Nicolas Jackson, Diego Moreira, Kendry Paez and Alex Matos have all joined Chelsea this summer. The quartet will play varying roles, with Jackson potentially leading the forward line for Pochettino’s side if another No 9 is not signed before the end of the transfer window.
Chelsea’s recruitment team have placed an emphasis on youth, with four of those new arrivals still in their teens. Jackson is 22 while Nkunku will be an elder statement in an inexperienced Chelsea side - turning 26 in November.
"We are excited to work with a very young team, with a different approach than in the past," Pochettino said. “But I think we all need to understand that we have to work really hard and create a very good atmosphere at the training ground to build success for the team in the next few years.
"For me, it is a pleasure and honour to now be involved with Chelsea Football Club. We are so excited, and I know Chelsea very well, it is one of the greatest clubs in the world. So of course, it was easy for us to make the decision to move here."