Chelsea have reportedly agreed a deal with Major League Soccer side Atlanta United to sign 19-year-old Caleb Wiley as the Blues continue to stockpile for the future.
Although the deal hasn’t been confirmed by either club yet, Wiley looks set to become the next youngster to walk through the doors at the London-based club under the new ownership with BlueCo. Before Wiley gets a chance to don the Chelsea shirt, he’s set to join Ligue 1 side Strasbourg on loan for the upcoming season since the team are under the same ownership as Chelsea, according to a report from The Athletic.
However, Chelsea and USMNT fans alike will both be eager to see how the versatile player will fit into the Blues’ squad in the seasons to come.
Here’s how Wiley could fit in at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea.
Wiley is one of the most talented USMNT youngsters / Kevin C. Cox/GettyImages
Wiley is capable of playing in a few different positions, but he typically slots in at left-back. Wiley rose through the Atlanta United academy and has earned plenty of starts at full-back for the Five Stripes, but he’s also capable of filling in at left-wing back and out on the left-wing.
His exceptional dribbling and pace make him such a versatile player that has shined during his time in Atlanta as he managed 85 appearances for the Eastern Conference team. Wiley made his first-team debut at just 17-years-old in which he scored in a 3-1 win over Sporting Kansas City.
How does Caleb Wiley fit into the Chelsea squad?
Wiley looks set to move to Europe / Andrea Vilchez/ISI Photos/USSF/GettyImages
Let’s face it, Chelsea’s squad is rather bloated at the moment. Thankfully, Wiley will get at least one loan spell (and probably one or two more) before really having a crack at the first team since he’s so young. With Marc Cucurella and Ben Chillwell taking up most of the playing time at left-back, it makes sense to loan Wiley out in the meantime.
Wiley is also unlikely to get any minutes on the wings, either. But a few years down the road, Wiley just might be ready for Premier League soccer and will more than likely slot in at left-back or left-wing back. But for the time being, Wiley probably won’t see much first-team action unless both of the team’s preferred left-backs are either transferred or suffer long-term injuries.
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