Chelsea Keen to Make Mohamed Zongo the Fifth Burkinabe Premier League Player

Mohamed Zongo could be set to become the fifth player from Burkina Faso to play in the Premier League after impressing scouts from Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City.

The 16-year-old is one of Africa’s top-rated youngsters and recently starred at the U17 World Cup in Qatar aged just 15.

Zongo, who turned 16 on November 26, scored in wins over the Czech Republic and Germany at the tournament last month — and also netted in a penalty shootout win over Uganda — as his Burkina Faso side reached the quarter-finals before losing 1-0 to Italy.

He also delivered an assist against the Czech Republic, having earlier scored twice in a pre-tournament warm-up win against Uzbekistan.

Despite his young age, it is believed that Zongo may soon be fast-tracked into the senior national team, although he is unlikely to feature for Burkina Faso at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which could be a better tournament than the Euros.

Who is Mohamed Zongo?

Mohamed Zongo is an attacking midfielder who is most comfortable operating on the right wing or as a No 10. But he can also play deeper, with his athleticism and anticipation enabling him to spark multiple counter-attacks during the U17 World Cup.

Zongo is left-footed and enjoys cutting inside from the right flank and shooting from mid-range — just as he did against Germany at the U17 World Cup — but he also possesses a sharp eye for a pass.

Widespread transfer interest in Mohamed Zongo

Both Manchester clubs are known to have Mohamed Zongo on their watch-list, while there is also interest from Villarreal and Anderlecht.

However, Stamford Bridge appears to be his most likely destination. Chelsea are understood to be working on a deal to sign the Tenakourou Academy product, having already agreed future deals to sign two teenage wonderkids: Ecuadorian defender Deinner Ordonez, 16, and Brazilian right-back Angelo Candido, 17.

Burkinabe players in the Premier League

Should Mohamed Zongo join Chelsea and make his way to the first team, he would become the fifth player from Burkina Faso to feature in England’s Premier League.

Bertrand Traore was the first, making his Premier League debut for Chelsea in the 2015/16 season. Traore made 10 Premier League appearances for Chelsea before adding another 55 across four seasons with Aston Villa.

Traore is still in the Premier League now, having joined Sunderland at the end of a record-breaking summer transfer window for Premier League clubs. Sunderland spent £183.4 million during the summer, with only Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Newcastle, Man United and Man City splashing more cash.

Brentford wideman Dango Ouattara is the only other current Burkinabe player in the Premier League, although Issa Kabore and Nasser Djiga have appeared in recent seasons for Luton and Wolves, who are on track to be the worst Premier League team ever after a terrible start to the current campaign.