{"id":823,"date":"2026-08-10T09:11:12","date_gmt":"2026-08-10T09:11:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=823"},"modified":"2026-08-10T09:11:12","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T09:11:12","slug":"the-chelsea-youngster-that-went-under-the-radar-against-jdt-91-passing-4-5-duels-won","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=823","title":{"rendered":"The Chelsea youngster that went under the radar against JDT: 91% passing, 4\/5 duels won"},"content":{"rendered":"


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It is difficult to say if Chelsea actually played well on Sunday. A bruising encounter against JDT eventually finished 3-3, with Xabi Alonso fielding a side full of fringe players and youngsters.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Even before kick-off, Xabi Alonso<\/a> had to make a change to his side, and by 30 minutes, the Blues were already two defenders down. In attack, Nicolas Jackson and Liam Delap will have impressed Alonso.<\/p>\n

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Which Chelsea player caught your eye?<\/h3>\n

Chelsea player ratings V JDT.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Liam Delap\u2019s best display in a Chelsea shirt! \ud83d\ude2e<\/p>\n

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But Chelsea<\/a> struggled in midfield, and it made the defence look bad. Dario Essugo did some excellent things, but he gave the ball away far too close to his goal; it was the reason for JDT\u2019s third strike.<\/p>\n

The Chelsea Chronicle<\/em><\/strong> gave Tosin Adarabioyo and Jamie Gittens a 3\/10<\/a>, but Delap got a nine. A real mixed bag, but there was one Chelsea youngster that sparkled, according to FotMob\u2019s<\/a> post-game stats.<\/p>\n

Tayo Subuloye wasn\u2019t even supposed to be playing<\/h2>\n

Still only 18 and yet to make his senior Chelsea debut, Tayo Subuloye will have been delighted with how his pre-season campaign has gone. He featured in the friendlies against Bromley and Crawley.<\/p>\n

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It earned him a place on Chelsea\u2019s tour, and the defender would go on to play in four of Chelsea\u2019s five matches in Australia and Asia. He started against Western Sydney, and then again for Sunday\u2019s 3-3 draw.<\/p>\n

Mamadou Sarr was in the starting line-up<\/a>, but a late change was made, with Subuloye replacing Sarr. The latter didn\u2019t even come off the bench, and according to the stats, Subuloye took full advantage.<\/p>\n

A modest rating of 6.7 from FotMob doesn\u2019t tell the whole story. He was joint-first for defensive actions on the pitch with 10, boasting three tackles (second best), making more clearances than any player (6).<\/p>\n

On the ball, Subuloye impressed too. His 68 touches were the third-most of any player, completing 91% of his 54 passes (49). Only two players successfully found an opponent more than the teenage ace.<\/p>\n

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But perhaps his most impressive stat was duels. Engaging in five duels, Subuloye won four; all the more impressive given the hostile nature of the game and his age. An underrated yet impressive performance.<\/p>\n

What next for Tayo Subuloye after a stunning pre-season?<\/h2>\n

There is no doubt that Subuloye has caught the eye. Alonso won\u2019t be forgetting the 18-year-old\u2019s name in a hurry, but a decision does need to be made on the England U18 international\u2019s immediate future.<\/p>\n

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Chelsea\u2019s pre-season tour is over! What are your early thoughts on Xabi Alonso as manager? \ud83d\udcad<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Of his 63 competitive Chelsea appearances at youth level, only six have come in the U21\u2019s. Either Chelsea will allow him to rise up the ranks and make him a regular in the second string, or decide to loan him out.<\/p>\n

His form while on tour will have certainly done enough to attract the attention of clubs in League Two, possibly League One. Perhaps, remaining under Alonso\u2019s nose will keep him relevant to the Spaniard.<\/p>\n

But nothing replaces going out on loan and playing senior football. If Chelsea think he is ready, and his display on Sunday proves he is, then the Blues should consider sending him to a League One or Two side.<\/p>\n

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