Chelsea’s Islam Feruz has had his say on Celtic teenager Karamoko Dembele.
Islam Feruz in action for Chelsea
Chelsea striker Islam Feruz has told The Scottish Sun that he hopes Karamoko Dembele stays at Celtic rather than chase a Premier League move.
Dembele hit the headlines last week, as at the age of just 13, he came on as a substitute for Celtic’s Under-20 side in a win over Hearts.
Born in London to Ivorian parents, Dembele moved to Scotland at a young age and turned out for youth side Park Villa before being snapped up by Celtic.
Islam Feruz at Chelsea
Dembele is now being tipped for a huge future having already featured alongside players around seven years his senior, and big clubs around the world are lining up to sign him.
The Scottish Sun recently reported that Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United are all keen to sign Dembele, with the situation eerily similar to that of Islam Feruz.
Similarly, Feruz was an African-born forward who joined Celtic at a young age, and was so talented that he was playing in age groups well above his actual age.
However, Feruz turned his back on Celtic and joined Premier League side Chelsea in 2011, but his career has never taken off at Stamford Bridge, and has struggled during loan moves to OFI Crete, Blackpool, Hibernian and now Mouscron-Peruwelz.
Islam Feruz in action for Chelsea
Many have been concerned that Dembele could go the same way as Feruz should he move to the Premier League, and the Chelsea-owned attacker has now offered Dembele some advice.
Feruz told The Scottish Sun that he thinks Dembele could go all the way, but offered him a clear message; stay at Celtic, play for the first team and score plenty of goals before thinking about leaving.
Feruz urged Dembele to keep concentrated on football, as many people will try to turn his head, much as they have in Feruz’s career since leaving Celtic.
Islam Feruz celebrates scoring
“I’ve heard about young Dembele and I’ve been told he has a genuine chance to go all the way. It takes me back seven or eight years ago,” said Feruz. “The main thing is to stay focused and concentrate on football. If he keeps doing what he has been doing, he will continue to improve. If he keeps progressing at this speed, who knows what he will be ready to achieve at 16?”
“I hope he stays with Celtic, plays for their first team and score lots of goals. Never forget that playing football makes you happy. If he does that the next steps will be a natural progression. He will not need to chase anything or rush into anything. He just has to keep his head down, stay focused and not be distracted. That’s the best advice I can give him.”
“People will now want to get involved with him and, no doubt, promise plenty. People will try to sweet talk him. But you must trust your family and stick to football. It’s easy to become distracted and lose sight of the necessary development required on and off the field. The people of Scotland, in every walk of life, must try to protect him. I wish him luck,” he added.
Do you think Dembele will be the next Feruz?
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