Evening Standard: Alonso Rates Two 16-Year-Old Talents, Watson and Azouri Could Earn First-Team Chances

According to the London Evening Standard, Alonso praised two academy players ahead of Chelsea's away match against Arsenal, with 16-year-olds Reggie Watson and Nicol Azouri potentially entering the first-team plans.

Alonso mentioned two Chelsea academy players at the pre-match press conference before Chelsea's game against Arsenal.

Chelsea will travel to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday local time, and Alonso believes the team has enough midfield options despite the club failing to sign a replacement for Enzo Fernandez on deadline day.

Enzo Fernandez joined Manchester City for a £120 million transfer, while Chelsea had initially agreed a £47 million deal with Monaco for midfielder Lamine Camara, but Monaco withdrew from the transfer at the last moment.

Reece James and Caicedo are still expected to be key players in Alonso's plans, although the Ecuadorian midfielder was substituted on against Brighton and left the match injured shortly afterwards, leaving his availability uncertain.

Lavia has started two matches this season and performed well, but he has been troubled by injuries since joining Chelsea in 2023.

Summer signing Barco and experienced midfielder Henderson have also given Alonso more options. However, Henderson is currently sidelined with injury, while Reggie Watson and Nicol Azouri have become potential first-team candidates.

Alonso said: “We have players with different characteristics and different personalities. Valentin is still very young, but he brings a lot of energy. We also have Henderson, who is calm, has a great mentality, and understands how the game develops, so he is getting closer and closer to getting playing time.”

Alonso added: “There is also Romeo, Reece, and even Gusto can play, Watson can play too, and academy player Mahdi can do the same.”

“We have many options and need to maintain the right balance. We believe the team has enough quality and competitiveness throughout the season and has the ability to face every opponent.”

The 16-year-old Watson is the son of former Crystal Palace and Wigan Athletic midfielder Ben Watson. He joined Chelsea's pre-season tour of Australia and later trained with the first team.

In August, Watson was included on the substitute bench when Chelsea defeated Luton in the League Cup, but he did not make an appearance.

The also 16-year-old Nicol Azouri took part in the summer tour as well. He featured against Tottenham Hotspur and later started against Juventus in Hong Kong.

As Chelsea prepare for their first major test of the season, both young players now have the possibility of being included in Alonso's match plans.