Chelsea set to hold talks with £22m star ahead of January transfer window

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea will hold talks with academy graduate Tyrique George to discuss his future ahead of the January transfer window, according to reports.

George, who joined the academy at under-eight level back in 2014, enjoyed his breakthrough season at Chelsea last season.

The England youth international made 26 appearances in all competitions and scored on three occasions.

However, with another influx of attacking signings arriving at Stamford Bridge over the summer, George appeared to be closing in on a deadline-day departure after a £22million deal was agreed with Fulham .

However, the 19-year-old, who had also held talks with RB Leipzig over the summer , saw his move to Fulham collapse in the dying minutes of the window after the Cottagers opted to sign wingers Kevin and Samuel Chukwueze instead.

George has since been reintegrated into Enzo Maresca ’s side, and has made a number of substitute appearances so far this season.

The Englishman scored in Chelsea’s Carabao Cup win over Lincoln in September, and bagged his first Champions League goal last week when the Blues won 5-1 over Ajax .

Tyrique George scored his first Champions League goal against Ajax (Picture: Getty)

George has been used as a makeshift striker by Maresca this season (Picture: Getty)

Nominally a winger, George has found minutes in Maresca’s side as a makeshift striker, but those opportunities could now be limited after Marc Guiu ’s return from Sunderland and Liam Delap’s return from injury.

And according to the Daily Mail , the club are now set to hold talks with George and his representatives ahead of the January window.

The report adds that Chelsea are not pushing George out the door, but will try and figure out the best plan of action for the teenager’s development, be that a loan or permanent exit.

@metrosportuk Fofana’s got jokes 🤣 Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana could NOT believe his teammate Jamie Bynoe-Gittens got the Player of the Match award against Ajax in the UEFA Champions League after he didn’t score in their 5-1 win. 🎥 / @chelseafc #chelsea #fofana #gittens #ajax #championsleague ♬ original sound – Metro Sport – Metro Sport

Speaking after his maiden goal in the Champions League, a delighted George insisted his only focus was on continuing to improve and get more opportunities at his boyhood club.

‘I’m just really happy to get the win. We got so many goals, we played well, we had fun out there as well. It’s the Champions League, so we had fun, it’s good,’ he said.

‘We’re all young and having fun. We’re having fun on the pitch and that’s it. The manager tells us to have fun and really be free when we’re in attacking areas, and that’s what we showed last night.

‘It’s an amazing feeling. I’ve wanted it ever since I was eight years old, to score in the Champions League. It’s what dreams are made of.

‘I think it’s just down to working day-by-day in training. I think that’s what’s making us win, so we just need to keep going and keep going.’