Reports suggest that Chelsea has reached an agreement for Atlanta United left-back Caleb Wiley.
Since the co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital have been in charge, non-stop chasing of the most excellent young talents this summer is going on to create a future-proof squad with some elite prospects.
This transfer window, Chelsea has tried to secure some of the bright upcoming players with high potential.
The Blues have already managed to sign midfield player Omari Kellyman from Aston Villa and forward Marc Guiu from Barcelona, who are viewed as future stars.
In addition, they finalized a deal with Palmeiras youngster Estevao Willian, who will join Chelsea in 2025.
Chelsea is also looking to sign 19-year-old Boca Juniors defender Aaron Anselmino, thereby showing interest in developing their youth ranks.
The Athletic confirms that Caleb Wiley of Atlanta United will soon be added to Chelsea’s growing roster of elite prospects at Stamford Bridge.
According to them, the Blues have agreed on a deal in principle to sign the USA international for a fee in the region of £8.5m.
This move brings along with it the ideology of ‘young talent investing’ for long-term success.
Wiley will sign a long-term contract that will keep him at the club until June 2031.
The England youth international will then be loaned out to Chelsea’s sister club – Strasbourg, in the 2024-25 campaign.
Also Read: Moises Caicedo Criticizes Pochettino’s Impact At Chelsea
Wiley will gain game time and experience of playing in European football under former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira – the coach of Strasbourg.
Left-back Caleb Wiley, 19, was in Atlanta United’s academy since age 11. He rose through the levels, playing for Atlanta’s reserve team before making his debut for the senior team.
Wiley already is a regular starter for the Five Stripes, where this season he has started all 21 of his MLS fixtures.
His form, week in and week out, and maturity on the pitch have unmistakably marked him out as being one of the young talents in the future of American soccer.
In all, Wiley has made 84 competitive appearances for Atlanta United, scoring six goals and providing seven assists.
Form such as this has seen him called up twice to the senior USA team and, more recently, into the Under-23 group set to represent his country at the upcoming Olympics in France—that is, if the event not get affected by any further fixations.
Particularly, this call-up emphasizes his potential and the fact that he is ready for a higher level of football.
While this is on, Wiley’s immediate focus will be on representing USA at the Olympics.
This will be followed by his focusing on his loan stint at Strasbourg, where he will garner vital experience in European football.
That is the kind of move characterized as an essential step in Wiley’s development because it lets him adjust to a different style and amp up his competitiveness.
Wiley’s signing by Chelsea is part of a broader strategy to build a team that will have sustained success.
With investment to the likes of Wiley, the club is doing everything possible to have talented players groomed through the ‘Chelsea way’ and become great in their own right.
