Chelsea linked with PSG's ‘New Messi’ — report

Chelsea, thanks to our man in France, Claude Makelele, are said to be the frontrunners for Kays Ruiz-Atil’s signature, according to French media outlet, RMC.

The 17-year-old midfielder currently plays for PSG's youth team. He joined them back in 2015, leaving Barcelona where he was once hailed to be the “Next Messi”, one of approximately 1,400,549,949 prototypes. (Ed.note: but the only thing that’s been messy about him has been his career since heyoooo...)

It's certainly ironic that the first two signings after Chelsea's transfer ban could be youth players — our first signing this January was 16-year-old Bryan Fiabema — but what's even more ironic is that Ruiz-Atil's transfer to PSG was not exactly the most ethical either. PSG were accused of illegally recruiting the youngster by employing his father to circumvent FIFA rules.

So, PSG stole a highly promising youth player from world famous La Masia and yet, now, Chelsea have a chance at stealing the player who’s into the final 18 months of his contract. Stealing their steal! What happened?

Well, according to RMC, the biggest reason for this (potential) breakup between could be Ruiz-Atil’s insistence on being closer to the first-team and progress in his career — sounds familiar! PSG apparently deem the youngster not quite ready, leading to a breakdown in contract extension talks — sounds famliar! — and the ensuing demand for transfer — sounds familiar!

Whether Chelsea are actually interested in the promising midfielder or are just being used as leverage in contract negotiations, we could do worse than to offer an escape route for a highly regarded teenager. Of course, Ruiz-Atil would still have his work cut out for him to make it into the Chelsea first-team as well — we’re quite stacked with Kante, Kovacic, Jorginho, Mount, Barkley and Loftus-Cheek in that position at the moment — but perhaps he will see the Blues’ newly found trust in the youth as a promising development. Who knows...