Who is Ishe Samuels-Smith? Chelsea's summer signing in the squad vs AFC Wimbledon

Ishe Samuel-Smith was named in Chelsea's squad to face AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup second round on Wednesday by Mauricio Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino noted on Tuesday that he was set to rely upon Chelsea's academy to help fill out his squad against AFC Wimbledon. The Blues boss wanted to take no risks in his team selection with injuries piling up in his first team and as a result has made seven changes to his starting lineup.

The likes of Diego Moreira, Bashir Humphreys and Mason Burstow all start for the Blues against the Dons with the likes of Malo Gusto, Nicolas Jackson and Moises Caicedo dropping out the side. However they do make the bench, which appeared less certain 24 hours ago.

"Chelsea always produces good talent, young kids, now it is about opportunity. It is not because it is our philosophy at the moment, I need clarify because I cannot be hypocrite, it's because we need to bring young guys to the first team because we have some players who cannot play tomorrow."

New signing Djordje Petrovic made the bench alongside more established first team players, but the lone figure to meet Pochettino's aforementioned criteria is Ishe Samuels-Smith. Albeit he joined the club this summer from Everton.

Who is Ishe Samuels-Smith?

The 17-year-old defender who is capable playing in the centre or on the left side of defence was recruited from Everton for the Blues development side in July 2023. He was already a regular in the Toffees' Under-21s side last term and has featured among the substitutes before when he made the bench for Everton in the EFL Cup against Bournemouth. He has also made the bench for a clash against Fulham in the Premier League.

He represented England at the Under-17 European Championship earlier this summer before joining the Blues.