It’s that time of the year when we find out what is happening with the slew of youth players who reach the age where they need a professional contract, and as it stands it looks like Derrick Abu will be one of those who is let go when the “released and retained” list comes out.
Abu has been at the club since he was 10 and has been a regular in a number of the age group teams.
The attacking full back has never been considered one of Cobham’s top prospects, but as always he has been shaped into a really solid player by his footballing education here, and there’s no shortage of interest in the Nigeria eligible defender.
All Nigeria Soccer claim that both Crystal Palace, Brighton and Southampton are all watching him and likely to make him offers when his Chelsea deal expires. They add that Crystal Palace are interested in converting him to a different position, so he may prefer the offers from the South Coast teams.
The right back has had trials all over, and clearly his talent and pedigree are going to earn him a nice move. His future may not be at Chelsea, but as with all our academy graduates we wish him all the best wherever he goes. Still just 19, he can make an impact in the Championship right away if he earns a move there.
