Chelsea are said to monitoring the progress of Dutch teenager Rick van Drongelen, according to the Daily Mail.
The Blues are following the Sparta Rotterdam youngster who is considered one of the hottest prospects in Europe having already broken into the Holland under 19s side.
The 17-year-old can play at centre-back and left-back and has broken through into Sparta’s first team this season, he has played in their last three games.
Despite his inexperience at the top level, van Drongelend is said to have admirers from a number of European heavyweights.
Chelsea scout Piet de Visser told Dutch media:
I have filed a report about Van Drongelen to Chelsea. I think he’s a serious guy who always trains extra hard and shows good mentality.
First, he must focus on his spot at Sparta and the Holland under 19s. There he is doing a good job.
After the protracted John Stones saga in the summer and with captain John Terry not getting any younger, it seems as if though the Blues are looking abroad to seize his successor and future partner for Kurt Zouma.
Zouma was signed under similar circumstances and was loaned back to parent club Saint Etienne to develop. Chelsea could use this same method to ensure van Drongeland continues progressing as a player before the new manager in the summer assesses the squad.
