Tino Anjorin: Everything You Need to Know About Chelsea's Exciting Youngster
By Ali Rampling
Chelsea youngster Tino Anjorin has put pen to paper on a bumper five-year contract at Stamford Bridge.
The new deal ties the 18-year-old down to the club until 2025, demonstrating Frank Lampard's continued determination to put faith in youth.
The Chelsea boss has blooded youngsters Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori, Reece James and Billy Gilmour throughout the season, showing no reluctance to throw them in at the deep end.
Anjorin is poised to follow in their footsteps, so just who is the latest teenager tipped for a bright future at Stamford Bridge?
Who Is Tino Anjorin?
Born in the south coast town of Poole, Anjorin is an 18-year-old box-to-box midfielder who has progressed through the Chelsea youth system, having joined the academy when he was six-years-old.
The midfielder has represented England at Under 17, 18 and 19 level, but is also eligible to play for Nigeria through his father.
Has He Played for the Chelsea First Team?
Anjorin made his senior bow in September, coming off the bench in the 67th minute during Chelsea's 7-1 Carabao Cup victory over Grimsby.
His Premier League debut arrived in March when he was introduced from the bench during Chelsea's 4-0 win against Everton.
Anjorin's first team involvement has been steadily increasing, with the 18-year-old training with the first team in recent weeks.
What's His Youth Team Record Like?
Prior to the league being curtailed as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, Anjorin was the Chelsea development squad's top scorer - a pretty impressive achievement for a midfielder.
He also captained the Under-18 side to the FA Youth Cup semi-finals.
Anjorin has previous in the prestigious youth tournament, scoring in the final of the 2018 competition aged just 16, as the Blues recorded an emphatic 7-1 victory over Arsenal.
What Type of Player Is He?
It's little wonder Lampard has shown such faith in Anjorin - the similarities between the pair are striking.
The teenager is an energetic box to box midfielder with an eye for goal - for both the simple and the spectacular in equal measure.
Standing at 6'1, Anjorin is a real athlete; strong, fast and powerful, with the technical ability and intelligence to match.
Was There Interest From Elsewhere?
Upon signing his new deal at the club, Anjorin said he had 'no hesitation' upon committing his future to Chelsea. However, a selection of sides across the Premier League and beyond were reportedly keeping an eye on him.
According to Sky Sports, the midfielder turned down Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund, who were all showing an interest in Anjorin as his Blues deal began to run down.