Chelsea fought off competitors from Brentford for Charlton expertise Mason Burstow, who has been likened to Jermain Defoe

ON switch deadline day, Chelsea managed to squeeze in a deal for EFL’s hottest expertise, Mason Burstow.

The Charlton rookie, 18, has had a meteoric rise after coming by way of the youth ranks at non-league Welling United and Maidstone United.

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He joined the Addicks in 2000, and sensationally launched himself by scoring for the membership together with his FIRST TOUCH in skilled soccer in a Papa Johns Trophy conflict in opposition to Crawley.

Since then, he has continued to offer a risk in assault – discovering the web six instances in his first 16 video games for the South London aspect.

It is that type of kind that inspired Chelsea to pounce on the teenager – paying around £2million to safe his providers, beating Premier League rivals Brentford to the punch, earlier than loaning him again to the League One workforce.

They’ve had their eye on him

Burstow was noticed early doorways by Chelsea’s scouts when he performed for Maidstone at 16.

After starring in a sport, satirically in opposition to Charlton, he was invited to Cobham to coach.

Though they handed on the chance to signal him, Burstow stayed on the membership’s radar.

In 2020, the Plumstead-born poacher joined native membership Charlton on a two-year scholarship deal.

He would quickly get Charlton growth lead coach Anthony Hayes purring about his means.

Bold and stuffed with potential

Again in December, Hayes spoke of Burstow’s ambition and his sport.

“He’s somebody who we think about a high-potential participant,” Hayes informed the South London Press.

“I wouldn’t need to put any strain on him as a result of I do know he units his personal targets.

“I do know there’s a number of goal-setting when it comes to creating and scoring objectives, in addition to making first-team appearances.

“What I do suppose he’s, is a centre-forward who can do all the pieces. He can run away from the ball and he can drop in and hyperlink play.”

Whereas, Information Shopper journalist Henry Tomlinson in contrast Burstow to ex-West Ham and Tottenham hotshot Jermain Defoe.

“He’s bought that uncommon expertise of simply desirous to show himself, he doesn’t cease working, he doesn’t have a chip on his shoulder, he’s simply desirous to do the most effective he can every time he goes out,” Tomlinson informed the Chelsea Chronicle.

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“I’ve seen him dwell a few instances now and he form of jogs my memory a little bit little bit of a younger Defoe.

“His motion between the strains, he’s bought a little bit of that poacher ending means and he’s bought a bit extra peak. His purpose in opposition to Fleetwood was together with his head.

“So, perhaps, he may have potential extra ability set or be a bit extra rounded than Defoe was, which might be a improbable profession if he was capable of emulate Defoe as a result of clearly, he’s probably the greatest Premier League purpose scorers of all time.”

Targets galore

Like Defoe, Burstow has the identical ruthlessness in entrance of purpose which is translated effectively to the Charlton first workforce.

Since ex-manager Nigel Adkins handed him his debut again in August – within the 6-1 demolition of Crawley – Mason is but to look again.

Again in November, he discovered the web within the FA Cup in a 4-0 win over Havant & Waterlooville.

Final month, he scored a comfort in a 2-1 defeat to Crewe Alexandra within the league adopted.

Then he adopted that up with a strike in a 2-0 win in opposition to Fleetwood.

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Sensibly, Chelsea have determined to let Burstow play out the rest of this season with the Addicks as he continues his growth.

Then comes the arduous work the place he’ll transition into Neil Bath’s Blues academy.

You would not put it previous Burstow, the keen overachiever, to flourish there too.