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Joe Shields has been a big supporter behind the scenes of Chelsea youngster who’s broken into the first team

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Chelsea’s young star has massive support within the club from senior figure Joe Shields.

It’s been claimed that Joe Shields, the Chelsea co-director of recruitment and talent, has huge faith in one Blues youngster.

Back in 2023, Joe Shields suggested both Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia to Chelsea as potential transfer targets. Without a doubt, they’re two of the most talented youngsters in the Premier League right now, even though the latter needs to overcome frequent injury problems to prove it.

It’s interesting that Joe Shields massive rates Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap amid transfer links to Chelsea.

Tyrique George of Chelsea reacts after the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Chelsea FC at Craven Cottage on April 20, 2025 in London, England
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images

Joe Shields backs Chelsea talent Tyrique George

While Chelsea’s young squad is largely built on signings across the last few windows, there are some academy graduates sprinkled across the group as well. For instance, Reece James and Levi Colwill have been first-team regulars for a while now.

During the 2024/25 season, Tyrique George and Josh Acheampong were both officially promoted from the Blues Under-21s side to the senior group.

According to BBC Sport, Chelsea youngster George has received ‘additional encouragement’ at the club since the change of ownership.

The report claims that Shields has been a ‘key advocate’ behind the scenes of the talented attacker who joined the Blues as an Under-8.

Tyrique George’s promotion to Chelsea’s first team was doubted by some people in the academy because they feared he would struggle for minutes. However, the exciting 19-year-old winger is beginning to make his mark as the months go by.

CompetitionAppearancesGoalsAssistsMinutes played
Conference League1011588
Premier League71197
FA Cup202106
Conference League qualifiers10028
Carabao Cup10027
Tyrique George in Chelsea’s first team in the 2024/25 season via Transfermarkt
Chelsea FC v Legia Warszawa - UEFA Conference League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Tyrique George must start vs Djurgarden

On Thursday night, Chelsea face Swedish club Djurgarden in the first leg of a Conference League semi-final clash.

George has featured in every Conference League game this season, starting six out of 10, so we’d love to see him named in the XI this week.

Even though the English teenager is a winger by trade, he’s filled in superbly well at times as cover for the centre-forward position. In particular, he hit a striker’s finish with a stunning goal recently against Fulham in the Premier League.

We think it would be smart of Blues manager Enzo Maresca to keep Nicolas Jackson in reserve for Sunday’s league fixture at home to Liverpool. That would open the door for George to get another opportunity to lead the line and prove his quality.

During a recent interview, Levi Colwill described Tyrique George as “amazing”, claiming he’s ready to help out rather than just sit on the bench.