Xabi Alonso has a 27-man squad in Australia as things stand, and almost half of his Chelsea side are made up of youngsters. One has really caught his eye this summer.
Of Chelsea’s 27 players down under, 17 are 21 or under. It is an incredibly young squad that highlights the need to bring in some older players. Of course, Chelsea’s World Cup players are more senior.
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Morgan Rogers and Maxence Lacroix will be added to the squad. Although they are hardly old, their experience will be invaluable going into 2026-27. For now, the duo are resting after the World Cup.
Chelsea officially begin their pre-season campaign on Tuesday against Western Sydney Wanderers. Alonso held a press conference before the game, and he was asked about a teenager in the Blues squad.
Xabi Alonso admits Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli has caught his eye
Alonso was spotted working with Landon Emenalo during Sunday’s open training session, while Reggie Watson, Reggie Walsh and Calvin Diakate have featured during the behind-closed-doors friendlies.
Another to have been included in the squad is Sydney-born 16-year-old Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli and given his birthplace, Australian reporters asked about Nicoll-Jazuli in his press conference ahead of Tuesday’s clash.
“Well, we are expecting having a productive and good time here in Sydney, I’m sure. You don’t have the chance to come every weekend here to Sydney, so you need to pick the right time. So far it’s been good.
“But we have our first game on Tuesday and then on Saturday. And Mahdi, I was informed yesterday that he was born in Sydney; it was a surprise. He’s one of those talented players that come from the academy.
“Really impressed with him, with other ones, but Mahdi is a talent that we need to help, we need to develop because he has special qualities that you don’t see that often from a 16-year-old guy.
“I don’t know if he has an Australian passport, but it will be tough to choose. He has great dynamism, he has quality, a very complete player. He can pass short, dribble in the middle. Made a good impression.”
Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli’s Chelsea career so far in numbers
Despite his tender age, the six-time England U17 international has already played competitively for Chelsea’s youth sides 41 times. A regular in the 18’s, Nicoll-Jazuli has only just broken into the 21’s.
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Yet, Alonso has called him into Chelsea’s first team alongside Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill and new signing Marco Palestra for the club’s tour. Alonso is an admirer of Nicoll-Jazuli, as is key player Cole Palmer.
So far, Nicoll-Jazuli has played 34 times for Chelsea’s U18 side domestically and the U19 team that competes in the UEFA Youth League. Another seven appearances have come with the U21 outfit.
Alonso is known to have a faith in youth. But it remains to be seen which of Chelsea’s youngsters will get a chance under the German gaffer this season. Perhaps, if he shines this summer, Nicoll-Jazuli is that man.
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