2024 Golden Boy: Two Nigerians linked with Chelsea plus Tottenham target Kayode in top 100

Italian sports daily Tuttosport, organizers of the Golden Boy, has published its updated ranking of U21 players nominated for the prestigious award, with three Super Eagles-eligible players making the cut. 

Fiorentina fullback Michael Kayode, who has been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, is the highest ranked player of Nigerian descent at number 21. 

Kayode had a breakout campaign at Fiorentina in 2023-2024, so much so that Italy manager Luciano Spalletti considered naming him in his squad list for the 2024 European Championship.  

The 20-year-old appeared in 37 matches in all competitions last season and was involved in five goals (1 goal, 4 assists).

The two other Nigerians on the list are Atlético de Madrid forward Samuel Omorodion and Lecce defender Patrick Dorgu, who are ranked 41st and 100th respectively. 

Premier League giants Chelsea are still pushing to sign Spain U23 international Omorodion who has a release clause of 80 million euros in his contract with Los Colchoneros.

Aged 20, Omorodion made 35 appearances in the Spanish top flight last season, including 22 starts, and scored nine goals.

Everything points to the fact that Dorgu will move on to bigger things sooner rather than later, with recent reports highlighting that Chelsea hold genuine interest in signing the Denmark U21 international. 

Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan have also been credited with an interest in Dorgu, who has a contract with Lecce until June 2027.

The left-back scored two goals in 34 all-competition appearances for Lecce in 2023-2024.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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