Chelsea wonderkid could save BlueCo millions but new manager will have one huge problem

Shumaira Mheuka has etched his name into the Chelsea history books, and he’ll be hoping for more first-team opportunities next season.

Shumaira Mheuka has become the first Chelsea player to be named the Premier League 2 Player of the Season. Alan Shearer presented the 18-year-old striker with the award on Tuesday night, recognising his outstanding contribution towards the Blues’ title-winning campaign.

Mheuka, who will enter the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge next month, captained Harry Hudson’s side to glory in the league phase of the competition, scoring 17 goals and providing two assists in just 17 appearances.

Chelsea topped the table on goal difference, winning the trophy for the first time since 2020, when the likes of Levi Colwill, Marc Guehi, and Tino Livramento were still earning their stripes at Cobham training ground.

The Blues earned a place in the Premier League 2 play-offs, but, despite the England Under-19 international’s best efforts, they were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Tottenham Hotspur. Mheuka broke the deadlock in the opening five minutes, but Chelsea couldn’t double their lead.

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The Lilywhites leapt out of the gates in the second half and put three past the Blues without reply. Although Chelsea couldn’t reach the latter stages of the knockout phase, the teenager was head and shoulders above the rest throughout the campaign.

Upon receiving the player of the season award, Mheuka said: “It has been a great season for me, and I’m very proud to receive this award. I’ve worked hard throughout the year, and I’m grateful to my family, the staff and my team-mates for all of their support.”

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The Chelsea wonderkid has followed in the footsteps of Liam Delap, who won the award in 2021 while on the books at Manchester City. The likes of James McAtee (Manchester City), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), and Reiss Nelson (Arsenal) have also previously been named player of the season in 2022, 2020, and 2018, respectively.

Mheuka has already made a handful of appearances for the senior squad, but he’ll be eager for more first-team opportunities – whether that’s at Chelsea or not. Enzo Maresca handed the youngster his debut in a 2-1 away win over Astana in the UEFA Conference League group phase back in December 2024.

Having made a good impression, the Italian later rewarded Mheuka with his first start for the Blues in the first leg of the last-16. Since Maresca stepped down as head coach, the striker has only played half an hour of first-team football.

Whether it’s Xabi Alonso or not, Mheuka will hope to have a chance to earn a place in the next Chelsea manager’s squad next season. Although Joao Pedro looks set to lead the frontline for years to come, Delap has hardly nailed the ‘backup striker role’.

Despite showing glimpses of promise, he’s certainly left the door open for the Cobham graduate to become the perfect understudy – or strike partner if the new head coach deploys a front-two.

Nevertheless, football.london understands that the former Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid boss is in fact one of several candidates to take the hot seat at Stamford Bridge. The Blues want to have a new manager in the dugout before the end of next month, leaving plenty of time to get to know the current squad before the transfer window opens.

It’s understood that Chelsea want to sign a centre-back, a central midfielder, and a left-sided winger this summer. But, at the moment, the five-man sporting leadership team are focused on the process of appointing a new head coach.

In the meantime, Mheuka can only continue to hone his craft and prepare himself for a potential call-up to the first-team…