Chelsea is expected to face competition from Atletico Madrid in the fight to recruit Ligue 1 club SCO Angers’ teenage prodigy Mohamed-Ali Cho.

According to a report in the Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, Chelsea has joined forces with reigning La Liga winners Atletico Madrid in their pursuit of SCO Angers attacker Mohamed-Ali Cho, who is 17 years old.

The adolescent prodigy began his training at the Chantilly camp in the United States before joining PSG’s junior system in 2011, where he remained for four years. Afterwards, Mohamed-Ali Cho spent four years with the Everton junior squad in England before returning to France in January of last year and joining Angers.

Cho has impressed in his primary years

Cho found himself in the senior squad after joining the club’s Under-19 team and impressing the coaches there. So far, the 17-year-old prodigy has appeared in 36 games for the Ligue 1 club, making two appearances and scoring two goals. While the homecoming of the Frenchman may not have sent hearts racing throughout the world, he is regarded as the greatest prospect in his own nation.

Cho, who is just 17 years old, recently made his senior international debut for the French Under-21 national team, demonstrating how highly regarded he is among his peers. In addition, other premier teams throughout Europe have taken notice of the kid, with Chelsea and Atletico Madrid among those who have shown interest in him.

Chelsea has been keeping an eye on Cho for some time now, having been intrigued by his impressive lineage at such an early age. The Blues have long had a reputation for swooping in and acquiring young and promising players, loaning them out for a few seasons, and then reselling them for a profit on the secondary market. However, this is no longer the case, with young players from the academy being given an equal opportunity to play senior football at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are giving equal opportunities to the youngsters

Many Chelsea players, such as Mason Mount, Reece James, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Billy Gilmour, and most recently, Trevoh Chalobah, have become household names as a result of their progression through the club’s youth system. Cho, if he is signed, might take a similar path to the first team at the west London club, if he is successful.

Chelsea, on the other hand, will have to contend with Atletico Madrid in their pursuit of the teenage sensation. While Diego Simeone’s club isn’t exactly renowned for bringing in youthful talent, they have made strides in changing that impression with the additions of Joao Felix, Matheus Cunha, and Marcos Paulo, among others.

Apart from that, with Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann reaching their latter years, someone like Cho might be a good alternative to consider in the near future as a replacement for the ageing pair. Cho, who has a market worth of €10 million, is also being watched by Italian club AC Milan. As a result, it will be intriguing to watch who emerges victorious from this competition for the Angers’ starlet.