Chelsea have completed a £12m transfer for young French midfielder Mathis Amougou from Saint-Etienne.
Enzo Maresca has now made it clear that the new signing is not expected to play a significant role this season. Instead, the club envisions his development as a long-term project.
Maresca explained that Mathis, who is just 18, needs time to adapt to the rigours of West London football. He compared Amougou to other youngsters such as Josh Acheampong, Tyrique George, and Marc Guiu, all born in 2006. Moreover, the coach stressed that youth comes with the promise of improvement, not immediate impact.
Furthermore, Maresca emphasized that the club signed Amougou because they believe he has potential. He stated that the young midfielder must first arrive, adapt, and progress before he can contribute significantly on the pitch. In his view, the process is essential for nurturing raw talent.
Additionally, Chelsea currently face a midfield shortage. With Romeo Lavia sidelined by injury, the club has relied heavily on Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo. Meanwhile, the coaching staff has not given many Premier League minutes to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, thereby highlighting the gap in experience.
Many observers expected Amougou to provide an immediate boost in midfield strength. However, Maresca quickly dismissed such expectations. He explained that Chelsea did not sign him with the intention of securing a pivotal role right away, but rather to build for the future.
Moreover, Maresca reiterated that the signing reflects a clear developmental strategy. He remarked, “We didn’t sign him thinking he’s going to play an important part with us.” This statement underscores the club’s commitment to allowing young players the time they need to grow into their roles.
Subsequently, Amougou inked an eight-year contract with Chelsea, marking a significant move from France to West London. The midfielder expressed his excitement after the deal was confirmed, saying, “I’m very happy. It’s an honour for me to sign for such a big club like Chelsea. They believe in young players and the process they have in place to develop us is fantastic.”
In conclusion, Chelsea’s latest acquisition is a strategic investment in the future rather than an immediate solution to current midfield challenges. Consequently, fans should expect Mathis Amougou to gradually refine his skills within the club’s development framework. Moreover, this move underscores Chelsea’s long-term commitment to nurturing homegrown talent.
