In their continuous pursuit of emerging talents, Chelsea Football Club has initiated a trial for 17-year-old Ghanaian left-back, David Oduro. The promising defender, currently with Accra Lions in the Ghana Premier League, showcased his skills during a rigorous fitness testing session at Cobham on Tuesday and participated in an academy training session.

Having already accumulated 40 matches in the Ghana Premier League and holding the status of a current Under-20 international, Oduro has drawn interest from several European clubs, including Chelsea, Shakhtar Donetsk, and Real Sociedad.

Under the new ownership of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, Chelsea is increasing its investment in scouting talent from the African market. While Oduro’s trial provides Chelsea with an early look at his technical prowess, the outcome remains uncertain regarding a permanent signing or the potential for the young defender to secure a work permit before turning 18 in June.

Chelsea’s dedication to global talent acquisition is evident in their recent signing of 17-year-old Senegalese midfielder Pape Daouda Diong, who is set to join in the summer upon reaching 18 years of age. The club continues to strengthen its academy with young talents from diverse regions, including Brazil, Jamaica, and Serbia.

As part of their multi-club strategy focused on young players, Chelsea’s partner club, Strasbourg, is in advanced talks to secure the services of IMT striker Milos Lukovic, considered one of the top young prospects in Serbia. Strasbourg, a BlueCo partner, has allocated a substantial £22 million budget for recruiting Under-23 players in the January transfer window, emphasizing Chelsea’s commitment to nurturing and developing emerging talents on an international scale.