Chelsea youngster Dominc Solanke has netted his first goal for the club’s under-21 side.
Dominic Solanke played a key role in Chelsea winning the FA Youth Cup last season, netting a brace in the final win over Fulham.
The teenager went onto enjoy a successful summer, helping England win the under-17 European Championship, finishing as joint top scorer.
Now he has achieved another big milestone, by opening his account for the Chelsea under-21 side at the weekend.
Solanke started the fixture against Norwich City, and scored from close range just before half-time in a 3-1 victory, with Jeremie Boga and an own goal rounding off the scoring for the Blues.
He is still only 16-years-old, yet featured for the first team in pre-season, such is the trust placed in him by the staff at the club.
Ade Viveash, under-21 coach, told Chelsea’s website: “Dominic got his first Under-21s goal and put in a real number nine performance with great movement and strength.”
He is a player Jose Mourinho clearly rates highly, picked out by the manager earlier this summer as one of three academy players he believes can be full England internationals.
“If, in a few years, Baker, Brown and Solanke are not national team players, I should blame myself,” he was quoted as saying in The Mirror.
The teenager will be expected to continue progressing for the under-21 side this season, and also feature in the UEFA under-19 youth league.
If he is fortunate, a Capital One Cup appearance could be a reward, and given the way he has grasped every opportunity which has come his way so far early in his career, expect him to find his way onto the scoresheet.
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