Chelsea are no shrinking violets when it comes to doing business in the transfer window and they are always on the hunt for deals. With signings like Estêvão Willian, where the player is clearly for the future of the club, the latest signings seem to be fitting a similar ilk. Chelsea are not wanting to deal with the now but looking to the future and the latest singing is looking very promising.
The scouting network have been working hard to find the best talent around the world and this time it has taken them to Kazakhstan. With many clubs looking traditionally in Brazil or Argentina, there are other options that are prospering. You only have to look at the meteoric rise of Abdukodir Khusanov who gained a €40 million deal in January and was only playing for Energetik-BGU in the Belarussian league a mere three years ago; it really is remarkable.
With Khusanov from neighbouring Uzbekistan, it is no wonder teams like Chelsea are looking to tap into a market that has never produced talent as big as other leading football countries to help find themselves a hidden gem. It looks like they may have found a striker with an unbelievable talent and a future in the professional game that shows no sign of a ceiling.
Who is the 16-year-old wonderkid?
There is no doubt that Chelsea has an abundance of talent throughout their teams, and now, they have one for the future. 16-year-old Kazakh-born Dastan Satpaev is making waves in the game and showing he is a natural goalscorer that could be scoring at Stamford Bridge for years to come.
The striker has been signed without a doubt to be nurtured and signed fully on his potential alone as he is currently with his boyhood club Kairat Almaty. Satpaev has been making noise across western Europe with many other top sides looking at the 16 year old, it was Chelsea who decided to go for him.
The transfer policy of Chelsea
Although many fans were clamouring for the bigger names in January, it was clearly the policy of hierarchy to buy for the future. Like the aforementioned Estêvão Willian and Kendry Paez, the board are keen on signing younger players with potential with links already made for another 16 year old Gabriel Mec.
Todd Boehly and Enzo Maresca are already dealing with a bloated Chelsea squad but they are also clearly wanting a cultural shakeup at The Bridge and prioritising signing younger players who will join the club at the end of the season or the season after.
What is the deal for The Blues?
Many fans will know the deal as it went through in January but it will cost the Blues less than £3 million and Satpaev will be on a long term contract given his tender age but rising potential.
Chelsea are hoping that this type of deal for Satpaev will pay dividends in the future either from a financial aspect or from a first team perspective.
Although a deal has been agreed, due to the age of Satpaev he will stay in Kazakhstan until 2026 and Chelsea will make a decision from there as to whether Satpaev joins the under-21s or finds a loan deal elsewhere. However, if he continues the way he is going he could be challenging Nicolas Jackson for a starting position!
Why is the news about the signing of Satpaev important now?
Although the deal was done over a month ago, Satpaev has been promoted to Kairat Almaty’s senior team and was introduced from the bench against Astana where he equalised for his side. A powerful right-footed finish passed the Astana keeper sent the away fans into raptures, it was taken like a proven striker and Blues fans will be encouraged that he has that sort of composure.
It has not gone unnoticed as well. Having played for the under 17s national team ten times he has found the net on four different occasions; he has taken to the international stage like a duck to water.
The senior manager of the national side, Ali Aliyev, has eluded to the fact that Satpaev will be picked in the next national side. Aliyev was in attendance of the Astana and Almaty match, in conversation he stated “There is not even a need to think about the call-up.” This will give Chelsea fans a chance to see him in action against Wales in their World Cup Qualification game.
Is there certainly a future for Satpaev at The Bridge?
This is a big question and one only time will tell. Stamford Bridge is a proper football English football stadium and one where people want to be at; the stadium is always a sell-out but Chelsea tickets are available at Ticket-Compare.com for those desperate to see The Blues. Satpaev will be undoubtedly be keen to play in front of a crowd as good as Stamford Bridge.
It is very early to see if Satpaev will ever play in England with many players coming and going to Chelsea and never making an appearance for the senior side. However, if he starts to play more regularly for Almaty and the national side it will be hard for Marseca to not hand him an opportunity; should he still be the manager of the side when Satpaev arrives.
