Son of Nigeria’s 1994 World Cup Star Named on Chelsea Bench vs Legia Warsaw

• Chelsea are looking to reach the UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final against Legia Warsaw
• Enzo Maresca gave opportunities to young players, with the Blues having a three-goal advantage
• One of the young players handed their first spot in the squad is the son of a former Super Eagles star

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Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has named the son of a former Nigerian international in the squad to face Legia Warsaw in the UEFA Europa League.

The Blues won the first leg 3-0 and only have to avoid a defeat to progress to the next round, allowing Maresca to hand bench opportunities to young players.

As seen in the starting lineup graphics uploaded on X, Landon Emenalo, the son of a former Nigerian international, was among the players in the squad for the first time.

He did not make his debut as Chelsea lost 2-1 to Legia, preventing the manager from giving any young players game time.

Maresca’s side progressed to the semi-final 4-2 on aggregate, having won the first leg 3-0 and will face Swedish side Djurgarden, with the first leg coming up at Stamford Bridge.

They are odds-on favourite to win the competition and should they reach the final, they will face one of Real Betis or Fiorentina.

Who is Landon Emenalo?

According to chelseafc.com, Emenalo was born on January 18, 2008 and has been a Chelsea regular for the youth team since signing his scholarship in 2003. He signed his professional contract months later.

His father, Michael Emenalo, was a former director at the club during the reign of former owner Roman Abramovich, and is currently working as the head of sporting project for the Saudi Pro League.

He had a brief spell at AS Monaco when his father left the Blues' executive role to join the French club as director, but Landon returned to London a year later.

Landon is a creative midfielder by trade, but this season has been deployed as a centre-back for the U21 under Filipe Coelho, demonstrating his versatility.

The midfielder who was assigned the number 72 in the first team has played 42 times this season for the youth teams, 31 for the U18 and 11 for the U21s.

Emenalo’s international future

Emenalo is eligible to represent three countries: the country of his birth, the United States of America, England, where he grew up, and Nigeria, his father's country.

He has represented both USA and England at youth levels, playing U17 games for both countries last year, but his senior international future remains open. The Nigeria Football Federation are reportedly watching him and want to move to secure his future early.

Nigeria-eligible star signs new Chelsea contract

Legit.ng reported that a Nigeria-eligible defender signed a new contract at Chelsea as the club moved to secure the future of one of their best academy stars.

Ishe Samuels-Smith joined the Londoners from Everton's academy in 2022. He is eligible to represent Nigeria internationally despite playing for England youth teams.