Wycombe Wanderers sign out of contract Chelsea youngster Jack Wakely

Jack Wakely has been out of contract for less than a month following his release from Chelsea, and has now been snapped up by League One club Wycombe Wanderers on a two-year deal. He even immediately started Wycombe’s 1-0 preseason victory against Leicester City last night!

The 20-year-old centre back, who hails from High Wycombe, departs after making 52 appearances for our U18 and U23 sides. He was a part of the 2017-18 U18 Premier League-winning squad, and with his 6’4” tall frame, he was one of the more physically imposing defenders to emerge from the Academy. He had a loan spell at non-league Basingstoke Town and brief stints last season at Leicester City and Brighton (their U23s sides), but did not catch on.

Since Chelsea did not offer him an extension, we are unlikely to receive any compensation fee for him.

In any case, all the best to Jack on his future endeavors!

Meanwhile, Thierno Ballo is reportedly attracting loan interest from Austrian sides Rapid Vienna and Sturm Graz, as well as German clubs Mainz and Arminia Bielefeld. The 19-year-old Austria U21 international had 7 goals and 4 assists in 23 appearances last season, and the time is right for him to make the step up.

In a potential departure of more permanence, Aleksi Heino is apparently heading to VfL Wolfsburg. The 17-year-old joined Chelsea’s U18 side last summer, but has managed to play only 8 minutes thus far. With Chelsea’s centre forward ranks absolutely stacked — eight players across the U23s and U18s — it is in everyone’s best interests for Heino to continue his development elsewhere.

Lastly, at an even younger age level, Bayern Munich have apparently convinced young Emran Soglo to follow in the footsteps of a few others, including Jamal Musiala, and ditch the Blues for a chance in Germany instead. Soglo was already linked with an exit last summer, with a couple other Bundesliga teams interested, but it’s likely that he will now answer Bayern’s call. The 16-year-old France-born left-footed attacking player has been with the Blues since before age 10.