4 days ago
Who is Ishe Samuels-Smith? Rangers 'transfer target' destined for the top at Chelsea who thrives on taking the lead
Gers have been linked with a loan move for the Stamford Bridge starlet
The summer transfer window rumour mill is in overdrive and the latest player to be linked with Rangers is Chelsea youngster Ishe Samuels-Smith.
New Ibrox boss Russell Martin has welcomed two new faces into his squad so far with the arrival of Dundee star Lyall Cameron and the loan capture of Max Aarons.
And more are on the way with Record Sport revealing that Leicester City defender Conor Coady in advanced talks while Martin's former player at Southampton, Joe Bothwell is also set to join Aarons from the Cherries.
But reports down south claim Gers are set to battle Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Stoke to land Stamford Bridge teen Ishe Samuels-Smith.
The 19-year-old left back is highly thought of by the Premier League giants, who recently handed him a long-term contract until 2031.
Samuels-Smith has had a taste of first team training with Enzo Maresca's side, but with the player yet to make a first team appearance Chelsea are keen for the defender to go out and get some valuable experience in the senior game under his belt.
Rangers have also been liked with Liverpool left back Owen Beck who was previously a transfer target for rivals Celtic.
Should Martin be successful in strengthening the position, then it could spell the end at Ibrox for injury-prone Turkey international Ridvan Yilmaz.
And with Samuels-Smith reportedly in the frame, Record Sport takes a look at a player who has been tipped to have an 'incredible future' in West London.
Who is he?
Samuels-Smith is a 19-year-old defender who came through the ranks at Everton before joining current club Chelsea in 2023.
He is predominantly a left back but with his 6ft frame is also adept at filling in at centre back if required.
Samuels-Smith is an England U19 international and was previously a part of the Three Lions side that won the U18 Pinatar Super Cup last year having been named in the UEFA U17s European Championships team of the tournament 12 months earlier.
His twin brother Odin Samuels-Smith is currently a budding youngster in former club Everton's youth-set up.
What kind of player is he?
Despite not having a taste of senior football, Samuels-Smith has demonstrated his potential leadership capabilities by donning the captain's armband for Chelsea's Premier League 2 side on several occasions last season.
And the player himself says he relished the added responsibility. He told the club's website in April: "I've really enjoyed wearing the armband,' he said. 'It's something I take a lot of pride in, but it also comes with responsibility. Leading by example, both on and off the pitch, is key.
"As captain, my role is to bring the team together, motivate everyone and help each player give their best. It's about strengthening the team. Being in this leadership role has taught me so much, not just about football but about life.
"One thing (manager) Filipe Coelho has emphasised since joining is the importance of relationships off the pitch. Strengthening our bond as a team has helped us improve.
"This season has been a massive learning curve. Training with the men's team and being part of the matchday squad has been huge for me personally. Those experiences are invaluable. They've shown me the level of intensity and quality required to perform consistently at the highest level.
"It's motivating as it pushes me to raise my game. Ultimately, that's where I want to be, challenging myself every week at that level. The most valuable part is bringing those lessons back to the Under-21s.
"Training with the men's team gives us a benchmark. It's made me and the rest of the boys who've had similar experiences approach our Academy matches with a higher intensity. That makes it much harder for our opponents to cope with us."
What's been said about him?
Everton hero David Unsworth previously served as the Merseyside club's U21s manager and spoke about Samuels-Smith in glowing terms earlier this year.
In an interview with TEAMtalk in April, he said: "Ishe is an incredibly talented young man who I know really well. A very talented left-sided defender, either left-back or centre-back, with an incredible future ahead of him.
"He's got great parents behind him who support him. He also has a very talented brother, Odin, who is still at Everton.
"The next step for Ishe would maybe be to go out on loan to get exposure to first team football – that's if he can't get into the Chelsea team!
"He's only 18 [now 19] and is one of England's brightest prospects, certainly at his age."
