{"id":827552,"date":"2026-07-27T19:33:19","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T19:33:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/827552\/"},"modified":"2026-07-27T19:33:19","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T19:33:19","slug":"chelsea-news-xabi-alonso-praises-academy-star-mahdi-nicoll-jazuli-in-sydney-ahead-of-western-sydney-wanderers-sydney-super-cup-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/827552\/","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea news: Xabi Alonso praises academy star Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli in Sydney ahead of Western Sydney Wanderers Sydney Super Cup game"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso said Sydney born 16-year-old Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli is a talent \u201cwith qualities you don\u2019t often see from a 16-year-old\u201d as he runs the rule over his first pre-season with the Premier League club.<\/p>\n

Alonso, speaking to media in Sydney on Monday ahead of the London club\u2019s clash with Western Sydney at Accor Stadium on Tuesday night, said he only learnt yesterday that the towering talent was born in Australia, but said he is part of an academy cohort he has on tour that has already caught his eye.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was informed yesterday that he was born in Sydney, so it was a surprise,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut he\u2019s one of those talented players that come from the academy.<\/p>\n

\u201cReally impressed with him.<\/p>\n

The Sydney Super Cup brings four blockbuster fixtures to Sydney: Chelsea vs Western Sydney Wanderers (28 July), Tottenham Hotspur vs Sydney FC (29 July), and Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea (1 August) and Chelsea FC Women v A-Leagues All Stars Women (12 August)\u2014\u00a0get your tickets now at sydneysupercup.com.au<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli. Photo: Getty Images <\/p>\n

\u201cWe saw what he was about, Mahdi he\u2019s a talent that we need to help, we need to develop because there\u2019s special qualities that you don\u2019t see that often from a 16-year-old.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know if he has Australian passport, but it will be tough for him to choose in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 16-year-old committed to Chelsea earlier this month with his first professional deal, although he can only formally sign the contract when he turns 17.<\/p>\n

Despite being born in Australia, he holds a French passport and English citizenship. His mother is Australian. And his father is from the Chad-Sudan border region.<\/p>\n

He has been at the club since he was six and such is his trajectory, he is the youngest player to start for Chelsea in the UEFA Youth League. He made his debut against Benfica in September, and scored against Ajax.<\/p>\n

Despite being just 16, he has played Under-21s and has also played for England\u2019s Under-17s.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has a great dynamism, he has quality.<\/p>\n

\u201cA very complete player.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe can pass short, dribble in the middle, he has made a good impression so far.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Despite being one of the younger players in the squad, he seemed to be fitting right in during Chelsea\u2019s open training session at Allianz Stadium on Sunday, joking around with the likes of Cole Palmer during a shooting drill.<\/p>\n

Chelsea defender Levi Colwill added: \u201cAn amazing player.<\/p>\n

\u201cA really, really bright future.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all hope he goes as far as he can.\u201d <\/p>\n

After last season\u2019s campaign, where Chelsea finished 10th and missed out on Europe, Colwill added the trip to Sydney is a \u201cblessing in disguise\u201d as the team gets to spend time together under Alonso in his first pre-season. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt is really positive for us to spend this time together and really connect, be on the pitch every day, work hard, it is a blessing in disguise,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt helps us a lot and I feel like we will be ready for the season.\u201d <\/p>\n

Your Next Read<\/p>\n

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