16-year-old Kazakh striker Satpaev scores on Chelsea debut within 6 minutes

Xabi Alonso has begun the preseason with more difficulties than anticipated. Chelsea, making their debut against Australian side WS Wanderers at the start of their tour in Sydney, overturned a 3–4 deficit to secure a 6–4 victory, thanks to a nine-minute hat-trick from Joao Pedro.

However, the match's standout positive came from one of Chelsea's newest arrivals: the very young Kazakh striker Dastan Satpaev.

A Promising Debut

Signed from Kairat Almaty in a deal worth €4 million concluded last season, Satpaev has already demonstrated his potential in his first start under Alonso's orders. Still a minor—he will turn 18 in mid-August—he scored his first goal for Chelsea in just six minutes, firing a powerful right-footed shot into the net after a solo run into space.

In the just over 60 minutes he played in this first preseason friendly, Satpaev also left another quality mark by initiating the move that led to Chelsea's second goal. He picked up the ball on the wing and skillfully set up Essugo, who, after a one-two with Walsh and a composed first-time finish, beat the opposing goalkeeper.

'Surpassed' Ansu Fati and Lamine Yamal

The teenager has generated strong positive feelings, having previously—albeit unofficially—broken the Champions League records of Ansu Fati and Lamine Yamal while playing for Kairat Almaty.

At just 16 years and 331 days old, Satpaev scored his first goal in the top European competition. The only drawback: he did so in the qualifying rounds, which excludes him from UEFA's official records, as only goals scored from the group stage onward count. By comparison, Ansu Fati achieved his record at 17 years and 40 days, and Lamine Yamal at 17 years and 68 days. Both remain the two youngest in history.

Natural-Born Scorer

Beyond his feat at age 16, Satpaev has spent two seasons demonstrating his ease for finding the net. This same season, in addition to starting in the first five matches of the Champions League group stage—which allowed him to face Real Madrid in his team's 0–5 defeat—he also added to his tally, now officially, with a goal against Copenhagen.

In the Kazakh league, before heading to the Premier League, he managed to surpass 20 goals (21) and provide 9 assists in 41 matches, according to Transfermarkt data. He has also made his debut for the national team—all while still a minor.

A Gem for Xabi Alonso to Polish

Will Alonso give him a chance at his new Chelsea? We will soon find out.

Image: Dastan Satpaev, from Kairat Almaty, celebrates a goal during the UEFA Champions League match between FC Copenhagen and Kairat Almaty at Parken in Copenhagen, Denmark. EFE/EPA/Ida Marie Odgaard / EFE