By Ollie Irish

What you talkin’ about Willis?

Leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to conquer the known football world, Chelsea have signed Michael Gyasi, a German-born striker who has spent a couple of years learning his trade at Northampton Town’s Centre of Excellence. Gyasi is 11 years old. I don’t think he’s quite ready to be thrown into training with the likes of John Terry, Alex and Branislav Ivanovic.

The Guardian claims:

Chelsea must pay compensation to Northampton for their development of the schoolboy, and it is believed that a down-payment of not more than £10,000 has been negotiated. The football authorities prefer clubs to resolve such issues between themselves rather than resort to arbitration. Further payments would be due to Northampton if Gyasi becomes a scholar or turns professional.

Whilst there is still something shocking about a big football club signing a pre-teen, I suppose we must accept it as a part of modern professional football. But it feels wrong. What I mean is, why didn’t Sports Illustrated scout me when I was Gyasi’s age? Pfft.

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