After spending all his budding career at Chelsea, Kenyan winger Silko Thomas Otieno is on the verge of completing a move to English Football League (EFL) Championship side Sheffield United.
The 18-year-old is currently on trial at Sheffield and recently featured for the Under 21 side as they registered a 3-3 draw against Wigan with the Blades currently topping the Professional Development League.
With Chelsea having a bloated squad in their first team with at least three players in every position, Otieno’s chances at the West London club look increasingly slim and it’s understandable for him to cut a career elsewhere.
The Blues had displayed signs of faith in Otieno after he was called up in the first-team training ahead of Chelsea’s clash against Manchester United back in October as a number of the first-team players were handed a rest following their midweek draw against Brentford.
Otieno has been a Chelsea player through and through after joining the Under-10s and has been handed promotions up till the Under 21’s where he has featured in a number of games in the Premier League 2.
The pacey winger signed a professional contract at Chelsea in September 2021 but is now looking for a new club after it appears Graham Potter does not see a future for him at first-team level.
The midfielder in a previous interview spoke of his versatility which convinced Chelsea to sign him up for their academy but added that he is comfortable in the advanced roles.
“When Chelsea spotted me I was a midfielder wearing the number eight shirt at Carshalton. Once I joined the academy the only position I can’t remember playing in was as a goalkeeper.
I decided I liked to play in a forward position to get goals and create assists because that was the most enjoyable thing as a youngster. I’m definitely happy with the decision to play as a forward,” said Otieno.
