Everton wonderkid Ishe Samuels-Smith closing in on £4m Chelsea move

Everton full-back Ishe Samuels-Smith is close to completing a £4million move to Chelsea.

The 17-year-old left back, who was in Everton’s first team squad last season, has agreed a three year contract.

Mail Sport revealed Chelsea’s interest on Monday in Transfer Confidential.

Samuels-Smith, who was also being watched by Manchester City, was a key figure in Everton’s youth sides last season, catching the eye. 

The teenager earned a spot on the bench for the first team in their 4-1 loss to Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup last November. He was also on the bench for the first team’s 3-1 loss to Fulham in April.

He has been a fixture at Everton since he was nine and has gone on to play for England at Under-15, Under-16 and Under-17 level.

The 17-year-old, whose brother Odin is also on Everton’s books, has been hailed as ‘the next Leighton Baines’ and has been part of the first team squad since September.

After getting on the bench for his first Premier League matchday experience against Fulham, boss Sean Dyche shared what he told Samuels-Smith that day.

“That’s part of being a Premier League player. You have to deal with stress and pressure all of the time,’ Dyche told reporters. 

‘Ishe, a young kid, is on the bench today and I said: “Brilliant day for you son because you’ll learn what it really is”. The good stuff always looks after itself.’

By joining Chelsea, Samuels-Smith links up with fellow recruits Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson, Alex Matos and Diego Moreira this summer. 

Samuels-Smith has represented England at Under-15, Under-16 and Under-17 level so far