New Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has reportedly made his first move in the transfer market with the capture of Cameroonian starlet Gael Etock.
As of July 5, which is the youngster’s 18th birthday, Etock will join Chelsea from Barcelona’s prestigious La Cantera academy.
The Catalan outfit had hoped that the striker would become the next Samuel Eto’o while enjoying a long career at Camp Nou but he has opted to join Villas-Boas’ exciting new regime at the West London club, reportedly signing a four year deal.
Comparisons with the Inter star Eto’o will be challenging for Etock to live up to, but he has had the benefit of learning his trade in his compatriot’s soccer school in Cameroon before the Barcelona scouts snapped him up at the age of 12.
Although Blues fans will be pleased to hear that it is not just Man Utd and Liverpool adding youth to their squads so far this summer, Etock will not be a part of the 2011-12 campaign as he will be sent straight to Sporting Lisbon for a season-long loan.
During this transitional period for Etock, it is hoped that he will gain some valuable first team experience in Portugal as chances this season would appear limited for any incoming strikers at this point.
That all could change of course in the next month or two, but for now Villas-Boas wants to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the existing squad before deciding where to splash the cash.
Having already had the opportunity to train with the senior squad at Barcelona before he has even turned 18 and considering how many talented youths come through the ranks there, Etock had certainly made an early impression on manager Pep Guardiola.
As the fourth academy departure in the past month, along with Hector Bellerin and Jon Toral heading to Arsenal and Pepe Palau back to Valencia, it might not only be Cesc Fabregas, Mikel Arteta and Pepe Reina that the club wish they had not lost before they shined elsewhere.
By Joshua Block for Clean Sheets All Round
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