Arsenal have won the race to sign former Chelsea youth product Zech Medley, a report from The Sun claims. The teenager has inked a scholarship deal with the Gunners having impressed on a trial.
The 16-year-old, who is primarily a centre-back by trade, was surprisingly released by the Blues six weeks ago following eight years in their youth system.
The youngster joined the Gunners on a trial in late October where he had stuttered start after conceding a penalty in the 1-1 draw versus the Fulham Under 18s.
His progress has since been monitored by the club’s youth staff, who have decided to prolong his stay at the Emirates.
Medley has already represented England in the junior setup and becomes the Gunners’ 12th intake via the scholarship program. The tall centre-half will link up with the Under-18 side for the campaign and will seek to progress to earn himself a professional contract.
Arsenal have had mixed success with their youth system over the years, and one would hope that Medley develops up to the standards of a Francis Coquelin or Hector Bellerin, who both joined the club at a similar phase in their careers.
Coquelin joined the Gunners academy from Stade Lavallois as a 17-year-old in 2008. He followed to have limited success with the first-team following his league debut three years later, and it was not until his loan spell at Charlton Athletic, did he earn the trust of manager Arsene Wenger. The Frenchman now commands a regular place in the heart of the midfield.
On the other hand, Bellerin, 21, came up with a reputation from Barcelona’s La Masia academy in the summer of 2011. He was initially a right-winger by position before Gunners’ assistant Steve Bould transformed him into one of the Premier League’s finest right-backs.
Can the youngster turn out to be another Bellerin?
