Abduljelil Kamaldeen: Meet Flying Eagles wonderkid who is wanted by Chelsea

Abduljelil Kamaldeen, a Nigerian U20 player, has recently piqued the interest of Chelsea football club, who are reportedly making enquries about him, Soccernet.ng reports. 

At just 16, the Kwara Football Academy (KFA) product has become one of the most exciting prospects in African football, already attracting attention from Premier League giants.

In fact, UK Media, particularly The Sun, likened him as a potential successor to Nigerian legend Jay-Jay Okocha.

Kamaldeen’s Rapid Rise to the Flying Eagles

Kamaldeen’s rise has been swift. He earned his call-up to the Flying Eagles squad for the WAFU B U-20 Championship in Ghana earlier this year, and, became the 21st player from KFA to represent Nigeria at the international level.

Despite being the youngest in the squad, he showed maturity beyond his age, stamping his authority in midfield with his vision and ability to link play between defence and attack.

A Bright Star At WAFU B Tournament

One of his standout moments came in Nigeria’s comeback victory over Benin Republic, where he found the net in a 4-1 win that secured the Flying Eagles a place in the semi-finals.

That performance strengthened his claim for a spot in Aliyu Zubairu's national setup and ensured his inclusion in the squad for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.

Abduljelil Kamaldeen at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile

Now in Chile, Kamaldeen is again drawing praise for his creativity. Alongside teammate Tahir Maigana, he has vowed to give his all for Nigeria and has also promised to inspire the Flying Eagles as they chase their first three points in the tournament.

His presence in midfield is already seen as crucial to Nigeria’s chances to secure all points against Saudi Arabia, with his ability to control the tempo of the game and create openings.

Chelsea Scouts Track Kamaldeen’s Progress

Reports in England claim that Chelsea scouts are closely monitoring his progress and have spotted him as a long-term project who could eventually blossom into a midfield gem at Stamford Bridge.

#INFO: Chelsea are reportedly pursuing Nigerian midfielder Abduljelil Kamaldeen, who is set to shine at the FIFA U20 World Cup. #BlueCo‘s global scouting network is focused on the tournament in Chile this month, targeting youngsters playing above their age group.

(Simon Barlow) pic.twitter.com/Z0asVxmjs3

— BlueCo Xtra® (@Bluecoxtra) October 1, 2025

With a current market value of around €25,000, his stock is expected to rise sharply if he continues to impress on the world stage.