Chelsea change their mind about ‘versatile defender’ as agreement reached to sell him

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Chelsea have now reached an agreement to sell one of their young defenders this summer.

Enzo Maresca did a superb job during his first year as the head coach in promoting youth from the Blues academy to the first team. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the rising stars to break into the senior group because of the competition for places.

In defence, the Blues already have plenty of quality and depth ahead of the 2025/26 season. They are about to get even stronger with another new signing, too.

Chelsea are on the verge of signing Ajax’s Jorrel Hato, the 19-year-old defender who will arrive at Stamford Bridge to provide cover for Marc Cucurella at left-back.

• READ MORE: Jorrel Hato has too much potential for Enzo Maresca to waste like he did with £30m Chelsea failure

Chelsea agree to sell Ishe Samuels-Smith

The latest speculation indicates that Ishe Samuels-Smith, 19, is about to leave Chelsea. Even though the youngster only joined the Blues from Everton in 2023, he’s on the brink of a permanent exit from West London.

According to Football.London, Chelsea have agreed a deal with sister club Strasbourg in France for the permanent transfer of Samuels-Smith.

Apparently, the ‘versatile defender’ will secure a move to Ligue 1, as personal terms were finally reached after weeks of negotiations, and he will now fly out to wrap up the move.

The report claims that the initial plan was for the 19-year-old Englishman to join Strasbourg on loan. However, that has changed into a permanent transfer because of the French club’s willingness.

Journalist Bobby Vincent further adds via X that Chelsea will receive £6.5m for the sale of Samuels-Smith, who will sign a five-year deal with Strasbourg.

Earlier in the summer window, Ajax enquired about Samuels-Smith during the conversations over Hato. Instead, the Chelsea youngster will now be joining Liam Rosenior’s Strasbourg side, where he will join up with on-loan Blues goalkeeper Mike Penders.

Chelsea had ‘high hopes’ for Ishe Samuels-Smith

It was reported back in April that Chelsea had ‘high hopes’ for Samuels-Smith because he was in line for a promotion to the first-team squad next season.

The versatile youngster, who can play as a left-back or centre-half, will now leave Stamford Bridge without making a senior appearance for the Blues. He featured in a few senior matchday squads under Maresca without actually getting on the pitch for his debut.

Strasbourg, where Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos hugely developed as a player, should be a great fit for Samuels-Smith because his path is blocked at Stamford Bridge.