Chelsea’s transfer deadline day arrivals did not end with Enzo Fernandez.
On transfer deadline day, Chelsea also completed the signing of highly-rated 17-year-old prospect Jimmy-Jay Morgan from Southampton, despite little coverage of the deal. The Blues are set to pay the Saints a large compensation fee for the highly-rated teenage talent, who is now widely regarded as one of England’s best young prodigies.
Morgan declined a professional contract with Southampton in order to pursue a move elsewhere, and Chelsea eventually won the race for his services.
Although the Blues were busy completing a club-record £107 million swoop for Enzo Fernandez, they still had their finger on the pulse to sign Morgan when he became available.
Arsenal, Leeds, and Manchester City were also linked with a move for the striker, but Chelsea moved quickly to outbid their rivals.
Chelsea signed Morgan despite the fact that he had 18 months left on his scholarship contract, and they are now preparing to welcome him to their prestigious youth set-up at Cobham.
Southampton manager Nathan Jones had previously hinted that the player would be given his senior debut ahead of the FA Cup victory over Blackpool.
However, recent events have caused Jones to overlook the teenager, and the player has now been moved on as his time on the South Coast comes to an unexpected end.
“Jimmy [Jimmy-Jay Morgan] is a fantastic player with a bright future if he makes the right decisions, if the people who work with him handle him well, and if we work him in training and develop him to the right level,” Jones said last week.
“If it’s appropriate for us to put a youngster in tomorrow, we’ll do it. We will not, however, put anyone in at random.
They must earn it, and they must be prepared. We’d like them to take their chances when they get them, so we’ll see.”
Although the compensation fee has yet to be determined, the Blues spent a whopping £323 million in the January transfer window, spending more than the entire Premier League in the 2022 winter market.
Graham Potter will now face increased pressure to deliver after a sluggish start to life in west London following his September appointment.
Todd Boehly has spent a lot of money on top young players like Fernandez, Mykhaylo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, Benoit Badiashile, Andrey Santos, and David Datro Fofana.
And there are no indications that he will slow down in future transfer markets as he seeks to assemble a team capable of competing both now and in the future.
Morgan’s signing is part of Chelsea’s long-term plans, and the young forward will be expected to play for the club’s U21 or U23 teams.
He has four goals in eight Premier League 2 matches for Southampton this season, as well as three appearances in the Football League Trophy.
Meanwhile, Hakim Ziyech will return to Chelsea after his loan move to Paris Saint-Germain fell through at the last minute.
