Youth football often gives us glimpses of the stars of tomorrow, and on a soggy morning at the Sportschule Wedau in Duisburg, Chelsea’s 16-year-old Ryan Kavuma-McQueen reminded everyone why he’s one to watch.
Facing Germany’s Under-17s, the young winger lit up the pitch, showcasing pace, skill, and a nose for goal that had the scouts in attendance taking notes.
Hat-Trick Hero Makes His Mark Early
Kavuma-McQueen, affectionately dubbed “Lightning McQueen” by teammates, put on a first-half masterclass.
In the rain-soaked duel, he scored a hat-trick and assisted Floyd Samba, son of Chris Samba, with one of the finest strikes—a 25-yard left-footed rocket into the top corner.
His movement and finishing on a bobbly pitch made it clear that raw talent can thrive even in the toughest conditions.
A Showstopper in the Second Half
Just when the match seemed like it had peaked, Kavuma-McQueen delivered arguably his best moment in the second half.
After a clever assist from Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli, also of Chelsea, he lobbed Bayern Munich youngster Leonard Prescott from a tight angle with the outside of his boot.
England eventually triumphed 7-5, but Kavuma-McQueen’s performance was the headline.
Chelsea’s Academy Continues to Shine
The game also reminded everyone that Chelsea’s academy isn’t defined by one star alone.
Following the high-profile loss of Rio Ngumoha to Liverpool—despite his first Premier League goal for Chelsea—the club has plenty of other talent coming through.
Kavuma-McQueen has been with the Blues since the age of seven, and his display in Duisburg reinforced that Chelsea isn’t short of exciting prospects.
Scholarship and Future Prospects
Kavuma-McQueen signed his scholarship earlier this season, joining a cohort of 15 other schoolboys, including Mathis Eboue, son of Emmanuel, and Isago Silva, son of Thiago.
These scholars often discuss terms for their first professional contract at 17, which for Kavuma-McQueen is expected in January.
He’s now firmly on Enzo Maresca’s radar, alongside Reggie Walsh and Shim Mheuka, who both recently impressed with England’s Under-19s.
While Kavuma-McQueen has yet to make a first-team appearance, it’s only a matter of time—though Chelsea’s depth on the wings means opportunities will be hard-earned.
Competition for Wing Spots
Chelsea’s left-wing roster is especially stacked.
This summer they signed Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund for £55 million and Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United for £40 million, while Tyrique George’s move to Fulham fell through at the last minute.
For Kavuma-McQueen, the focus remains on excelling within Chelsea’s youth setup, hoping to earn a spot on the bench or a first-team debut eventually.
A Pattern of Impressive Performances
Kavuma-McQueen isn’t new to attention. Back in March, he starred for England’s Under-16s in Spain, scored the winner for Chelsea’s Under-21s against Ipswich Town, and then gave the Under-18s the lead over West Bromwich Albion—all within one week.
He continued that form into the new season, scoring a solo masterpiece against Newcastle and shining in a 3-1 win over Manchester City for the Under-21s.
Youth Strategy Mirroring First-Team Philosophy
Chelsea’s academy mirrors the first-team philosophy: age doesn’t matter if talent is present.
The average age of their Under-21 squad was under 18 at the start of the season, and players like Kavuma-McQueen are helping maintain that youthful edge while delivering big results.
Kavuma-McQueen Proves He’s More Than a One-Game Wonder
Tuesday’s victory over Germany was another reminder that Chelsea’s hopes for future stars aren’t pinned on a single player.
With Kavuma-McQueen’s consistent brilliance, the Blues can be confident their conveyor belt of talent continues, producing wingers capable of dazzling both at youth and, eventually, first-team level.