Promising Nigerian Defender Tipped To Make Competitive Debut For Chelsea This Season

Chelsea historian Rick Glanvill and club statistician Paul Dutton have been previewing the forthcoming season for the official website, and have both predicted that the young Nigerian defender Ola Aina will be considered for the first team.

The England youth international dazzled at pre-season training, so much so that he was praised by new coach Antonio Conte.

“Some Academy youngsters appear to have made a very good impression in pre-season on their new coach, including composed defender Ola Aina and dynamic midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah, ” Chelsea wrote on the official webpage.

“The departure on loan of Baba Rahman, as well as Branislav Ivanovic’s unfortunate shoulder injury, may boost the chance of Aina – twice a non-playing sub – making his senior debut this season. ”

The 19-year-old Aina made six appearances for the first team of Chelsea during pre-season, racking up 393 minutes in those games.

He was rewarded with a new four-year deal this summer.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : chelseafc.com