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Chelsea sign 'new Messi' in 2026: He is the 'best player of the season'
Tom Weber
- Updated: 28 Oct 2025 15:47 GMT
- 4 min read
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New Chelsea signing Dastan Satpayev has been hailed as the 'best player of the season' after helping Kairat Almaty claim a second successive Kazakh league title.
The 17-year-old wonderkid is set to join the Blues next August when he turns 18. His move to Chelsea was announced earlier this year, sparking plenty of excitement in his native Kazakhstan.
Satpayev has been described as the 'Kazakh Lionel Messi' and 'Kazakh Lamine Yamal' due to his precocious talent, with friend and foe in the Kazakh Premier League showering him with praise.
Current ETV
Dastan Satpaev
F (C)
Kairat
Dastan Satpaev
F (C)
Kairat
ETV Range
€1.6M - €2.4M
Already a five-time senior international for his country, Satpayev is a regular starter for Kairat, including in the Champions League. The youngster scored three times in Karait's successful qualifying campaign and has played 260 out of an available 270 minutes in the competition proper so far.
Domestically, the teenager scored 14 goals as Kairat beat Astana and cup winners Tobol to top spot in the Kazakh Premier League for the second successive season. Due to the harsh climate in the Central Asian country, the season runs from spring to autumn.
Satpayev hailed as best player in Kazakhstan
Speaking after Kairat's 1-1 draw with Astana, which clinched the title, chairman Kairat Boranbayev praised Satpayev for his stunning impact, hailing him as 'the best player of the season.'
“Dastan is the best player of the season," Boranbayev told Vesti. "He has performed exceptionally well for his age, and this has been noted not only by us but also by our opponents in the Champions League. He’s a bright Kazakhstani star who we hope will continue to develop."
The Kairat chairman also confirmed that Satpayev will start the 2026 season with the Kazakh club, as he will not be able to move to Chelsea until the summer. “He will play for Kairat next season, as he cannot leave for England until he turns 18. He will be with us until June-August.”
Although the domestic season in Kazakhstan is now over, Kairat will continue to play until January due to the Champions League. The underdogs from Kazakhstan's former capital can look forward to clashes with Inter, Copenhagen, Olympiacos, Club Brugge and Arsenal.
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