Former Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell has tipped Zimbabwean teenager Shumaira Mheuka for a bright future in football, following the winger’s impressive display in Chelsea’s Europa Conference League semifinal win against Djurgarden on Thursday night.
Mheuka, who was born in England, has been making waves in Chelsea’s youth setup and is now getting opportunities to showcase his talent at the senior level.
The 17-year-old’s rise has drawn praise from those who have seen his progress firsthand, including Sidwell, who coached him during his formative years.
Speaking as a pundit on TNT’s broadcast of the match, Sidwell recalled his early encounters with the young forward.
“I coached Shimmy when he was at Brighton. I was doing the Under-16s and he was a 14-year-old then, already demanding about how he should be playing, starting, for the Under-16s, which goes to show the confidence the young man has,” he said.
Sidwell highlighted Mheuka’s natural football intelligence and physical presence as key attributes that set him apart.
“He’s got good footballing IQ, he’s a good size and he’s destined for big things,” the former Premier League midfielder added.
Mheuka, who joined Chelsea from Brighton in 2022, has been steadily climbing the ranks within the club’s academy, impressing coaches with his technical skill, work rate, and mature approach to the game.
Sidwell believes that Chelsea, known for developing some of England’s top talents, is the ideal place for Mheuka to refine his abilities and push for more first-team opportunities.
“He’s at a great club to hopefully hone those skills and get more appearances,” Sidwell noted. “Hopefully a goal to come with it.”
Mheuka’s performance against Djurgarden, which helped secure Chelsea’s place in the Europa Conference League final, has further boosted his profile as one of the club’s emerging stars to watch.
