Chelsea have a large array of talented youngsters available to them, with one of the most promising yet to really get their chance being Ishe Samuels-Smith.
The left-back is yet to make his first team debut, despite being named on the bench for a number of games since Enzo Maresca took over as the manager.
Perhaps the biggest blow to Samuels-Smith so far is the fact he has not been included in the squad for the upcoming Club World Cup. He joins youngster Kendry Paez in being left out by Maresca despite a number of spots still being available to be filled.
Recent reports have stated that Maresca could welcome Samuels-Smith into his first team squad next season after impressing greatly during his time with the academy.
Ishe Samuels-Smith in trouble as Chelsea close in on Kian Best
However, bringing in more competition would likely be a real problem for a player who is yet to grace the pitch as a senior Chelsea player.
Chelsea have been linked with signing Kian Best on a free transfer after he leaves Preston at the end of the season.
Now, The Chelsea Chronicle understands that the Blues are closing in on making that addition official.
According to Graeme Bailey, the teenager has held talks with the club and is close to agreeing terms over a contract with Chelsea, rather than BlueCo sister side Strasbourg.
Who is Kian Best?
2024/25 was not the most useful for Best in terms of minutes played. He spent the majority of the campaign on the bench for Preston in the Championship.
Perhaps the most notable moment that involved the youngster this season was when reports claimed that he had been informed he would become a free agent at the end of the campaign due to a social media post by the club.
It is more likely that the signing is made with an eye to the academy side, however Samuels-Smith will probably be a tad more concerned that his already-obstructed path to first team football could be about to have another roadblock.
