Chelsea Keen on Cape Town City’s Emile Witbooi After Impressive Trial

South African teenage football sensation Emile Witbooi is once again attracting attention from one of Europe’s top clubs, with Chelsea FC reportedly inviting him back to London for a second round of training and assessment.

The 16-year-old Cape Town City prodigy initially spent time with the Premier League giants earlier this year, and it appears his performances have left a lasting impression on the club’s academy staff. According to sources close to the situation, Chelsea are seriously considering integrating Witbooi into their Under-18 team as part of a long-term development strategy.

“Chelsea have made enquiries if he can go back for further training and assessment,” a source revealed. “It’s believed that they were impressed when he was last there, and they’ve been keeping tabs on his progress. They now want to look at the possibility of him joining the U18 squad and moving through the ranks as he develops.”

Witbooi, who has already made senior team appearances for Cape Town City in the DStv Premiership, is widely considered one of the brightest young talents in South African football. His technical skill, composure on the ball, and maturity beyond his years have made him a standout, both domestically and at youth international level.

Another source close to the club and player indicated that while Chelsea are currently leading the race for his signature, other European clubs have also shown interest. However, any potential move is likely to be delayed until after the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, which will be held in Qatar from 3 to 27 November 2025.

“I don’t think anything will happen immediately,” the source said. “Cape Town City are aware of other European interest and they want to see how Emile performs at the Under-17 World Cup before making any final decisions. That tournament could really open more doors.”

Witbooi played a crucial role in helping Amajimbos, South Africa’s U17 national team, qualify for the global showpiece. His performances in the qualifiers showcased his ability to compete at a high level, further cementing his status as one of the country’s most promising talents.

Cape Town City chairman John Comitis confirmed the interest in Witbooi but emphasized that no deal has been finalised.

“The interest is there, but there is no final deal on the table yet,” said Comitis.

As the European summer transfer window approaches and with the U17 World Cup on the horizon, Witbooi’s next move is set to be a closely watched development in South African football. If Chelsea do manage to secure his services, he could follow in the footsteps of Percy Tau and other South African exports making their mark in Europe.