AZ Alkmaar's Kees Smit in action with Ferencvaros' Mohammad Abu Fani. (REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo)
Chelsea have been among the busiest clubs in this summer’s transfer window — particularly in bolstering their attacking options.
They kicked things off with the £30 million signing of Liam Delap from Ipswich Town, and the young English striker has already turned heads with his performances at the Club World Cup. That was quickly followed by a surprise swoop for João Pedro, with the Blues shelling out £60 million to prise the Brazilian international away from Brighton — hijacking a deal Newcastle had been working on for weeks.
João Pedro’s arrival effectively spells the end for Nicolas Jackson at Stamford Bridge, with the Senegalese forward expected to depart after an inconsistent two-year stint.
Now, Chelsea are closing in on a move for Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund, and have reportedly submitted a major bid for Real Madrid starlet Gonzalo García — the breakout star of the Club World Cup.
But with their forward line all but rebuilt, the Blues are now shifting their focus to midfield. Their next target? One of the most highly rated young talents in world football: AZ Alkmaar’s Kees Smit.
Chelsea Send Scouts to Watch Kees Smit
According to TBR Football, Chelsea are among the clubs pursuing highly rated Dutch prodigy Kees Smit — a player already being hailed as the next major star of Dutch football.
Smit was the standout performer for the Netherlands U19 side that clinched a historic European Championship title in June, marking the nation’s first-ever triumph at that level. His performances earned him the Player of the Tournament award, with respected talent scouts at SCOUTED calling him “outstanding” and “a cut above the rest.”
The 18-year-old is under contract with AZ Alkmaar until 2028, but that hasn’t stopped Europe’s elite from circling. Real Madrid, Ajax, Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig, and Marseille have all registered interest — but it’s Chelsea and Tottenham who are thought to be pushing hardest.
Both London clubs have been tracking Smit for several months, with Spurs technical director Johan Lange reportedly making the midfielder a priority. Scouts from both teams were in Romania during the U19 Euros, and sources say they were thoroughly impressed by what they saw.
With composure beyond his years, a sharp footballing brain, and the ability to dictate play from deep, Smit has all the tools to become one of Europe’s top midfielders.
If Chelsea are able to land him, they won’t just be signing a promising youngster — they’ll be investing in the future of midfield dominance.
About the Author
