Chelsea wonderkid scores his second hat-trick of the season for academy in front of Cole Palmer

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There are so many individuals in Chelsea’s academy system right now for fans to be excited about. However, Shumaira Mheuka is putting in the type of performances that suggest it won’t be long before he’s the next major breakout star from Cobham.

It is a luxury that the Chelsea academy continues to produce super talents every year.

Last season, Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George both made the step up from the Under-21s to first-team regulars. The Blues squad also includes academy graduates Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah and Levi Colwill as well.

Shumaira Mheuka, 17, has been the outstanding performer across the various Blues youth teams so far this campaign. Incidentally, it even led to a rare senior appearance when he came off the bench against Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup in September

Romeo Lavia previously tipped Mheuka for big things, and with the way he’s playing in youth football, he may be spot on.

• READ MORE: What Chelsea insiders said about academy player Shumaira Mheuka last year

Shumaira Mheuka bags Chelsea hat-trick in front of Cole Palmer

On Tuesday afternoon, the Chelsea Under-19s beat Benfica Under-19s by a 5-2 scoreline in the UEFA Youth League.

It turns out that Cole Palmer was an interested spectator in the stands at Cobham to watch the young Blues stars. Afterwards, the injured attacker was at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night to watch the first team beat Benfica 1-0 in the Champions League group phase.

Mheuka was the star of the show for Chelsea’s U19s by scoring a hat-trick, including two confident penalties.

The English centre-forward, who captained his side, continued his incredible goalscoring form this season with his strong performance against Benfica. Even though he didn’t get too much of the ball, he was so clinical in the final third.

Mheuka, who was compared to Palmer last season, must be banging on the door for more first-team opportunities.

Blues striker Marc Guiu hasn’t played a minute since his return from a loan spell at Sunderland, so could Mheuka soon overtake him in the pecking order?

Shumaira Mheuka in ridiculous form

Mheuka’s form in the 2025/26 campaign can’t be overlooked because he’s been sensational for a couple of months now.

It is quite telling that the striker’s hat-trick against Benfica this week was the second time this season he’s scored three times in a match.

It is now 10 goals in eight games this term for Chelsea at youth level. On top of that, he played briefly in the first team against Lincoln. In terms of international football, he also scored five goals in three matches for England’s Under19s side at the start of September.

The composure and movement of Mheuka make it look like he would score goals at any level. How long will it be before the 17-year-old rising star is properly unleashed by Maresca?