Enzo Maresca could welcome 18-year-old to Chelsea first team next season with club having ‘high hopes’ for him

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Enzo Maresca could hand another Chelsea youngster an opportunity with his senior squad next season.

This term, Maresca has given chances to Tyrique George and Josh Acheampong, with the former really taking his recently.

It was George who equalised for Chelsea in their 2-1 win against Fulham last weekend. After the match, George was hailed as an “amazing player” by teammate Levi Colwill.

Ahead of the 2025/26 season, there is now talk about another Chelsea academy player potentially being promoted to the first team.

• READ MORE: Tyrique George and Josh Acheampong disagree on the next youngster to break into Chelsea’s first team, one is ‘Cole Palmer-esque’

Ishe Samuels-Smith could be part of Chelsea first team next season

Ishe Samuels-Smith recently signed a new contract and will now be hoping to follow in the footsteps of George and Acheampong.

According to football.london, Chelsea have “high hopes” for the young defender and he extended his contract with the intention of being part of Maresca’s first team next term.

There could actually be room in the senior squad for Samuels-Smith, with Maresca not having too many left-back options.

Ben Chilwell is likely to depart Stamford Bridge for good in the summer, while Renato Veiga could also be sold.

It is being reported that Chelsea could sell Veiga for £30m once the transfer window opens. His and Chilwell’s potential departures would leave Marc Cucurella as the only natural left-back available. If you are Samuels-Smith, it is the kind of scenario you want.

Why Ishe Samuels-Smith was left out of Enzo Maresca’s Conference League squad

George and Acheampong have had a lot of opportunities in the Conference League this season. George has actually made 10 appearances in the competition, even managing to score one goal along the way.

Samuels-Smith could have also been in line to receive some had he been at Chelsea for a bit longer.

Football.london’s report states that the 18-year-old was initially part of the Blues’ Conference League squad but had to be removed after not qualifying as homegrown. Samuels-Smith needs to spend two years at Chelsea before earning homegrown status.