Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has warned fans not to expect 19-year-old Mathis Amougou—signed on deadline day for £12million—to play a major role this season, as the club prioritises his long-term development.
Enzo Maresca has emphasised that Chelsea’s sole January signing, Mathis Amougou, is viewed as a player for the future rather than an immediate first-team solution. The midfielder, who joined from St. Étienne for £12million on deadline day, comes into a squad that has seen significant departures in the midfield, including the exits of Carney Chukwuemeka and Cesare Casadei, along with Renato Veiga being loaned out to Juventus. With key midfield options further constrained by Romeo Lavia’s prolonged injury absence, Chelsea currently have only Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall as a reliable senior backup to the established pairing of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez. Despite the apparent shortage, Maresca remains adamant that Amougou’s limited role this season is intentional due to his young age and the need for him to adapt and progress within the club’s system.
Maresca explained that the decision to not deploy Amougou heavily is a calculated one, stating that his presence is meant to be a developmental opportunity rather than an immediate impact. He compared Amougou with other young talents like Josh Acheampong, Tyrique George, and Marc Guiu, highlighting that while these players are promising, they require time to settle and reach their full potential. The coach’s comments underline a broader strategy at Chelsea that focuses on long-term growth and gradual integration of youth, even if it means not fully capitalising on a midfield shortage in the short term.
