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Chelsea keen on signing the ‘best 16-year-old in the world’ shining at U20 World Cup

Originally posted on HITC | By Jack Drury | Last updated Oct 7, 2025 12:24 PM ET

Chelsea have been keeping a close eye on the U20 World Cup, and one player in particular has impressed their scouts.

Since Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali took charge, the club have focused on signing top young talent before their rivals can make a move.

Estevao Willian is already making an impact at Stamford Bridge. He introduced himself to the fans in style with his late winner against Liverpool last week.

Kendry Paez, Geovany Quenda and Dastan Satpaev are all highly regarded prospects set to join the club in the future. Given how things are going so far, it is no surprise that Chelsea plan to keep adding more young talent to their ranks.

Gilberto Mora on Chelsea’s radar as interest grows in U20 World Cup star

Photo by Martín Fonseca/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images

Gilberto Mora, a 16-year-old talent already making headlines at the U20 World Cup, is starting to catch serious attention across Europe.

According to The Chelsea Chronicle, transfer expert Graeme Bailey has revealed that while many big names are tracking him, Chelsea have been more proactive than most Premier League sides.

He explained: “Chelsea are very interested in Mora. His background is phenomenal. First team debut at 15. He’s got over 50 first team appearances for Tijuana. He’s a full Mexican international, he is playing in this Under 20s World Cup, but he’s already putting in the performances. One assist and three goals from the first three games, he’s playing phenomenally. Everybody in the world knows of him.

“Every major club in Europe is keen on him, and Chelsea are very keen. Of all the English clubs, Chelsea are making his people know the most that they like him and he’s a huge talent.

“Mexicans think he’s the best 16-year-old in the world, and I’m speaking to a lot of scouts who do so as well. Chelsea have been to all the Mexican games in Chile.”

Gilberto Mora hoping to lead Mexico past Chile in the U20 World Cup

After coming second in their group, Mexico now face Chile in the Round of 16 on Tuesday night, hoping to secure a place in the quarter-finals.

Mora has played a big role for his team up to this point, and there will be plenty of attention on him to see if he can help them push further into the competition.

The 16-year-old has already started well at club level this season, contributing three goals and an assist so far.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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