Who is Shumaira Mheuka? The record-breaking Chelsea goal machine

Cameron Smith

• 21 Oct 2025 06:01 CDT
• 6 min read

News

Chelsea’s use of their academy has been widely criticised under Clearlake Capital, with a number of homegrown players flogged for profit to enable the club’s ludicrous spending on new signings.

However, the Blues continue to produce elite-level talents and a plethora of their current academy stars represent England at youth level - many of whom have been tipped to break into Enzo Maresca’s senior side in the near future.

Shumaira Mheuka is the latest youngster to make waves at Stamford Bridge, but who is he and how good can he become?

What position does Shumaira Mheuka play?

Mheuka is a centre forward.

How good is Shumaira Mheuka?

Chelsea’s academy is one of the best in Europe and Mheuka is the club’s biggest number nine prospect. He is also arguably in line to become England's replacement for Harry Kane. He's that good.

Mhueka made his U18 Premier League debut at the age of just 14, during his time at Brighton & Hove Albion, and he has continued his rapid ascent since moving to Chelsea in 2022.

The Englishman scored 12 goals in 20 appearances for Chelsea’s U18 side throughout the 2023-24 season, before playing a key role for England during the U17 European Championship during that summer.

The England wonderkid has since risen through the Chelsea youth ranks at breakneck speed and he was included in a first-team matchday squad for the first time against Panathinaikos in October 2024.

He then became the youngest player to start for Chelsea in a European competition when he was included in Enzo Maresca's starting XI against Copenhagen in the Europa Conference League in March 2025 - aged just 17 years and 137 days.

Mheuka ended the 2024-25 campaign with five senior appearances for Chelsea under his belt and he was subsequently handed the captain's armband for Chelsea's U21 side ahead of the new season, despite being just 17 years old at the time.

The ex-Brighton youngster has enjoyed a simply sublime start to 2025-26, registering 10 goals in nine games for Chelsea U21s and a further seven goals in only five games for England U19s.

The Three Lions have a dearth of quality centre forward options behind the aforementioned Kane and Ollie Watkins, but Mheuka will likely be in contention for senior squads within the next few years if he continues his immense development at Chelsea.

Game time is obviously a concern at Stamford Bridge, given the attacking riches at the club, however the England teenager is considered to be one of the best young strikers in Europe and Maresca has already trusted him with first-team minutes.

In Mheuka, Chelsea have a serious player on their hands.

His finishing is already top notch, while his penalty box movement, link-up play, physicality and aerial ability all point to one thing - Mheuka is the real deal.

He regularly features in Chelsea first-team training sessions and it won't be long before his talents are on display in senior football.

What clubs are interested in Shumaira Mheuka?

Mheuka has only just signed his first professional contract with Chelsea, so the Blues won’t be worried about losing him to a rival just yet.

However, he is considered to be one of England’s best young forwards and clubs from across the Premier League will no doubt be monitoring his situation at Chelsea over the next few years.

How old is Shumaira Mheuka?

Mheuka was born on 20 October 2007. He is 18 years old at the time of writing.

When does Shumaira Mheuka’s contract expire?

Mheuka’s current Chelsea contract is believed to run until 30 June 2027.

What is Shumaira Mheuka’s Instagram?

Mheuka’s Instagram account is @shim.mheuka. He has 60k followers as of October 2025.

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