Tyrique George: Rising Star at Chelsea After $58 Million Nkunku

The Conference League has served as an unconventional yet beneficial outlet for Chelsea, particularly for young talents ready to seize their moment. For Tyrique George, potentially starting in Thursday’s semi-final first leg against Sweden’s Djurgarden, this competition has provided a vital stage to shine.

At just 19, George has emerged as a refreshing solution during Chelsea’s challenging times in 2025. He has transitioned from being a spotlight player in the Conference League to making a significant impact in the Premier League. His pivotal appearance against Fulham, where he netted his first top-flight goal and ignited a second-half revival, marked a defining moment in his journey, having been with Chelsea since he was eight years old.

“Progressing from youth levels to the first team at Chelsea is statistically very challenging,” said Saul Isaksson-Hurst, George’s former academy coach. “The club attracts top talent at every age group. He’s certainly an exception.”

Breaking into Chelsea’s first team amidst a period where the club has invested over £1.2 billion in new signings is no small achievement. Following Mykhailo Mudryk’s provisional suspension due to a failed drugs test, Chelsea contemplated adding width to their squad during January, eyeing players like Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens, but decided to rely on George, who has now overtaken the £58 million Nkunku in the team’s hierarchy.

George came to Chelsea from TFA Totteridge FC in north London but wasn’t particularly distinguished early on. “There were several players at his age group who drew more attention and were considered standout players back then,” Isaksson-Hurst noted, referring to his work with other rising talents like Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Having served as a skills development coach for young players at Chelsea, Isaksson-Hurst also worked closely with George as he entered the club’s elite development program. Recently, Isaksson-Hurst provided one-on-one coaching support. He remarked, “In academy football, the focus isn’t on where you start but where you finish.”

George distinguished himself with an exceptional work ethic that enabled him to surpass many peers. The rigors of academy football, with training sessions stretching from Tuesday to Thursday evenings and intensive weekend engagements, could be exhausting. Yet, George consistently sought additional opportunities, including extra sessions with Isaksson-Hurst and training every Friday evening with a Goals football center in Elmers End, Beckenham, from the age of 11.

Jamie Waller, another of George’s former coaches at Unique FA, a South London academy, noted the competitive environment that spurred George’s growth. “He arrived with a remarkable technical ability and quickly absorbed information,” Waller shared, highlighting George’s potential.

After just a few training sessions, George was promoted to compete against older players. Waller emphasized his spatial awareness and tenacity: “He was serious about improving, with an intensity that was unmatched and no complaints.”

His family’s influence has been substantial, with his mother, Anita, being a teacher and his father, Bola, a business owner. As they relocated to south London, Bola played a key role in encouraging George to pursue additional challenges beyond his regular academy commitments. Waller praised George’s well-rounded skill set, declaring him the most complete player he has encountered.

The extra pre-season training bore fruit, leading to George’s inclusion in first-team plans under new coach Enzo Maresca. He contributed significantly to Chelsea’s youthful Conference League squads, starting matches against FC Noah in Armenia and FC Astana in Kazakhstan. His reputation grew, and he transitioned to the first-team setup alongside Josh Acheampong.

Four months ago, George received his own locker in the dressing room, and the guidance he received from teammate Noni Madueke has been invaluable. While injuries to strikers Marc Guiu and Nicolas Jackson, along with Mudryk’s suspension and Nkunku’s inconsistent form, have opened up opportunities, George has taken full advantage. He impressed in an important game against Legia Warsaw, stepping in as the primary forward and scoring a crucial goal. At 19 years and 75 days, he also became Chelsea’s youngest Premier League goalscorer since Callum Hudson-Odoi in January 2020.

Within Chelsea, there are concerns that the club’s pursuit of young talent in the 18-21 age group might hinder the advancement of academy graduates. Yet George’s committed work ethic has endeared him to fans and positions him as a promising prospect for the future.

Though the Conference League lacks prestige for Chelsea, George has embraced the challenge and reaped the benefits of his dedication.