Chelsea Set To Sign La Liga Star, Known As "Little Messi"

José Mourinho is reportedly looking to add to his stash of youth stars, this time its Barcelona midfielder Àlex Corredera. Corredera is only 19 years old and playing for the Juvenil A side of the Catalan club. In the UEFA Europa league earlier this season, Corredera scored twice in the six games he was featured in. His performances internationally for the Spanish youth team, combined with his performances for the Barcelona Juvenil A side, are linking him to other Premier League clubs such as Everton, Stoke City, and Southampton.

Corredera, paired with teenage sensation Ruben Loftus-Cheek, would be a deadly midfield combo on the youth team and in the years to come on the senior squad. Corredera has not commented on the possible move to Stamford Bridge yet, but he might not want to leave Barcelona. Luis Enrique is not looking to move Corredera unless he gets the right price, and Corredera might wonder if he is still wanted at Camp Nou, then he might not want to leave. Playing alongside footballers like Andrés Iniesta, Xavi, Neymar, Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez is a dream for most teenagers, but it is a reality for Corredera. Corredera and Barcelona are apparently discussing a new contract, his current one expires at the end of this season, but if they cannot reach an agreement by the summer transfer window, expect Mourinho to be calling his agent very quickly.

Chelsea and José Mourinho especially, have a reputation for killing a teenage starlet’s careers, loaning them out multiple times to different countries, and never letting them into the first team. Corredera would not be loaned out his first year at Chelsea, but he would not see the pitch as a first team player. Instead he would be playing for the Chelsea U-21 side, and then when he is ready for first team football, he will either be loaned out or given a shot in the Chelsea first team.

Corredera has been keyed the nickname “the next Leo Messi” for a reason. He certainly has the potential to be one of the greatest footballers in the world, but who he will be playing for is still up in the air.