Rumors abound that Raheem Sterling facilitated a video call with Hafiz Umar Ibrahim, potentially leading to the Nigerian wonderkid securing a trial at Chelsea. Ibrahim, an 18-year-old striker from Nigeria standing at 6′ 2″, garnered attention from elite European clubs after a stellar performance at the Viareggio Cup, where he netted 10 goals in six games. Drawing comparisons to Romelu Lukaku, Ibrahim’s star has been on the rise since his previous trial at Bodo/Glimt in Norway.
The Evening Standard reported that Ibrahim is set to embark on a two-week trial at Chelsea under the watchful eye of Mauricio Pochettino. Should he impress, there’s anticipation for him to join Chelsea’s affiliate club, Strasbourg in France, to further hone his skills. This opportunity was made possible in part by Joe Shields, Chelsea’s co-director of talent acquisition and recruitment, signaling the club’s heightened interest in scouting African talent.
However, amidst Ibrahim’s potential ascent, Paul Merson has cautioned Sterling about his own prospects for the England squad in Euro 2024, suggesting they’re slim. Merson’s remarks highlight the challenging nature of defending Sterling’s chances, despite his prior successes. Ultimately, Sterling’s involvement in Ibrahim’s journey underscores the interconnectedness of football’s global landscape, where established stars like Sterling can influence the trajectories of promising talents like Ibrahim.
