English-Ugandan prodigy Ryan Kavuma-McQueen named in Chelsea’s Champions League squad at 16

Chelsea’s teenage winger Ryan Kavuma-McQueen has been named in the club’s Champions League squad and is set to make the bench for their clash against Ajax on Wednesday night.

Kavuma-McQueen, who is of Ugandan heritage but represents England at youth level, is one of the brightest prospects in Chelsea’s academy.

The 16-year-old has impressed for the club’s Under-21 side this season, just months before his 17th birthday.

He joined Chelsea’s Cobham academy at the age of eight and has steadily risen through the ranks, earning international recognition with England’s Under-15, Under-16 and Under-17 teams.

His inclusion in the senior European squad marks a major step forward in his development.

The Daily Mail revealed on Tuesday that the winger was among 33 players added to Chelsea’s updated European list.

Other notable additions include Thiago Silva’s son Isago, 16, and Landon Emenalo, the 17-year-old son of former Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo.

Under UEFA regulations, clubs can register unlimited players on their “B list” the night before a match, provided they were born on or after January 1, 2004, and have been eligible for the club for at least two years.

Chelsea are believed to have added a large number of their academy players to simplify future matchday registrations, ensuring their young talents are available when needed.

Manager Enzo Maresca has already expressed admiration for Kavuma-McQueen’s potential.

“He scored four goals against Germany [in England Under-17s’ 7-5 away win]; I even watched that game,” Maresca said earlier this month. “I was very impressed… I think he’s good.”

Kavuma-McQueen’s rise is the latest sign of Chelsea’s continued faith in youth, and his Champions League call-up underscores how highly the club rates their English-Ugandan starlet.