Chelsea had a fantastic summer transfer window as they signed Liam Delap, Dario Essugo, Estevao Willian, Jamie Gittens, Joao Pedro, Jorrel Hato and others for a combined transfer fee of more than £200 million in order to strengthen Enzo Maresca's squad for a gruelling 2025/26 season.

The Blues' new transfer policy primarily focuses on signing talented young players, as most of the players mentioned above are under 21 and have played a significant role in Chelsea's season so far.  

Maresca's management of youngsters has been applauded by various pundits, with Paul Scholes even suggesting Manchester United talent Kobbie Mainoo join the Chels in the upcoming transfer windows due to his diminishing importance under Ruben Amorin.

According to Football London (via Football Fancast), the most sought-after teenage defender, Cassiano Kiala, and his father met with Chelsea officials during the defender's London visit regarding his son's future. He has also reportedly held talks with Manchester City officials for the same.  

Kiala's current deal with Bayern Munich runs until June 2027 and he does not turn 18 until January 11 of that same year. Due to the current rules, both Chelsea and Man City won't be able to sign the talented defender until his eighteenth birthday but the Blues would unlikely wait for two years to have a personal agreement with Kiala's camp before anyone else does.

Bayern Centre back Jonathon Tah has also heaped praise on the teenager, saying, "He's fast, good with the ball, and brave. He's a top-class centre-back."

Renowned agent Jorge Mendes has also reportedly held talks with 16-year-old's family in order to initiate talks for the future management of Kiala's career in the professional footballing world.

Under-23 scout Antonio Mango also provided an insight on Kiala's abilities, saying, "Seriously impressive talent, combination of athleticism, composure, and ball-playing ability. Not the tallest, but compensates with agility and timing. Strong in 1v1 duels, Comfortable playing out from the back & progressive."

With the right guidance, Kiala is bound to become one of the finest defenders in world football, and Chelsea could provide the Germany U-17 player with the platform which he needs to grow his talent in the coming days, as the Blues have proven themselves as a club that values and develops their youngsters to play at the highest level.

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