Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has talked up the need for patience when it comes to the development of Mathis Amougou.
Having focused on facilitating outgoings throughout the winter transfer window, the Blues pushed through the signing of Saint-Etienne youngster Amougou on a long-term contract.
A fee of €15m (£12.5m) has allegedly been paid for the 19-year-old, who arrives at Stamford Bridge having made 17 appearances in Ligue 1 during 2024-25.
On Friday, Chelsea announced that Amougou was one of three players to be added to the club's squad for the Conference League knockout stages.
Nevertheless, it appears that fans of the West Londoners should not expect to see for prospect in the first-team picture for a number of weeks.
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What has Maresca said on Amougou?
As quoted by the club's official website, Maresca outlined that he and Chelsea chiefs viewed Amougou as one for the future.
Maresca, in particular, pointed to viewing the central midfielder in the same bracket as Josh Acheampong, Tyrique George and Marc Guiu, players that are 19 years of age or below and who are viewed as senior players for later years.
The Italian said: "We didn't sign him thinking he is going to play an important part with us [straight away].
"The reason why is because of his age and because we need the process. We signed him because we think he's a good player and in some moment – after a while – he can help us."
He added: "Mathis is the same age as Josh, Ty and Marc; all born in 2006, just 18 or 19 years old. If they are with us at that age it is because we think they are good but can get better.
"With Mathis, it is more or less the same. We saw that he could be a good player but now he needs to arrive here, adapt, process, and then we will see."
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Is there potential for change?
Reports have indicated that Amougou has already been earmarked for a season-long loan stint with fellow BlueCo-owned club Strasbourg for 2025-26.
In the short term, though, Amougou has effectively become fourth-choice central midfielder at Stamford Bridge with Romeo Lavia currently sidelined through injury.
Trevoh Chalobah may be viewed as a stop-gap over Amougou if required, yet it is not beyond the realms of possibility that he earns minutes during the closing three-and-a-half months of the campaign.
Darren Plant
