New Chelsea academy starlet Tyrique George reveals how advice from England and Blues icon has fired shock breakthrough
![New Chelsea academy starlet Tyrique George reveals how advice from England and Blues icon has fired shock breakthrough New Chelsea academy starlet Tyrique George reveals how advice from England and Blues icon has fired shock breakthrough](https://www.nigeriaonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/tyrique-george-chelsea-takes-possession-919344146-CaTfpS.jpeg)
AFTER months of talk around Chelsea academy graduates leaving the club – it seems Blues fans may have another to get excited about.
Teenager Tyrique George has been handed a chance to impress in the United States by new boss Enzo Maresca this summer.
Chelsea academy starlet Tyrique George has been called up to the US pre-season tourGetty
Chelsea star Raheem Sterling has been sharing important advice for GeorgePA
Chelsea’s pre-season tour
Here is a look at Chelsea’s full tour of the USA:
RESULTS
Chelsea 2 Wrexham 2 – July 24
FIXTURES
Chelsea vs Celtic – July 27 – Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, Indiana
Chelsea vs Club America – July 31 – Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia
Chelsea vs Manchester City – August 3 – Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio
Chelsea vs Real Madrid – August 6 – Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Gotham FC vs Chelsea Women – August 19 – Red Bull Arena, Harrison, New Jersey
Chelsea Women vs Arsenal Women – August 25 – Audi Field, Washington DC
Not only was the 18-year-old winger named in the touring squad for pre-season but he was a surprise starter in the opening game against Wrexham at the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
George was named on the bench by Mauricio Pochettino three times in Premier League games last season but never got on.
So against the Welsh side in California this was his first real chance to show what he can do – and there was plenty to like.
Despite his age the left winger was confident and composed on the ball, always looking to take on the defender in front of him and make things happen.
Some runs came off, others did not but across the 45 minutes he was given in the first half George never went hiding.
He said: “I was very excited and this is another big step in my career. It was such a good experience.
“I have been at Chelsea since I was eight years old so to have the chance to play for the first team for the first time, with players who not long ago I was watching on TV, was so special.”
Those players who he has been watching on TV have been impressed too.
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George has been in the thick of it in training Stateside, taking part in friendly challenges with far more senior teammates at the end of sessions.
Noni Madueke has long been a fan and supporter of George’s, impressed by his return of 14 goals and 10 assists across Chelsea’s youth teams last season.
His fellow winger has been one of a few players to support the youngster as he looks to make an impression on Maresca.
Veteran Raheem Sterling has made a lot of effort to ensure that George is settled and working hard at this level, while former Aston Villa midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka is also a close friend.
George said: “When you are quite new to the group, having someone like Raheem give you advice when he has played at the highest level for so many years really helps.
“Having the chance to play alongside all these top players has been really good. You are learning new things every day from really experienced players.”
On the pitch in America, fellow academy graduate Levi Colwill has been giving George vocal support while Christopher Nkunku has also been keeping an eye on him.
The England Under-18 international has been with the Blues academy since the age of eight having been born in London to Nigerian parents.
Chelsea pre-season tour squad and notable absentees
Goalkeepers:
Robert Sanchez
Marcus Bettinelli
Eddie Beach
Lucas Bergstrom
Defenders:
Reece James
Malo Gusto
Josh Acheampong
Wesley Fofana
Axel Disasi
Tosin Adarabioyo
Benoit Badiashile
Levi Colwill
Ben Chilwell
Renato Veiga
Midfielders:
Carney Chukwuemeka
Romeo Lavia
Lesley Ugochukwu
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Andrey Santos
Forwards:
Nicolas Jackson
Christopher Nkunku
Raheem Sterling
Mykhailo Mudryk
Noni Madueke
Armando Broja
Tyrique George
Marc Guiu
Angelo
Notable absentees:
(Internationals)
Cole Palmer
Conor Gallagher
Enzo Fernandez
Marc Cucurella
(Left out ahead of possible loan/sale)
Romelu Lukaku
Omari Kellyman
Alfie Gilchrist
Bashir Humphreys
Cesare Casadei
David Datro Fofana
Deivid Washington
Djordje Petrovic