Zambia wants chelsea wonder kid

Wedson Nyirenda is eager to add Belgium-born
Chelsea starlet Charly Musonda to his Zambia
squad as he looks to build a formidable unit
ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Nyirenda has overseen an impressive
transformation for the national side since taking
charge back in September, and has discarded
some of the squad's elder statesmen in favour of
the country's next generation of stars.
The bold move has sparked a startling revival in
fortunes for Chipolopolo, who finished a credible
second in a tough Group B of the 2018 World Cup
qualifiers - ahead of both Cameroon and Algeria.
Now, with an eye on the Nations Cup in
Cameroon, Nyirenda is convinced that the
addition of Belgium U-21 international Musonda
would further boost his fledgling outfit.
"That boy is highly talented, he is a great star,"
Nyirenda told KweséESPN. "I think he can fit in
our philosophy.
"He is a marvellous player and if we can get him
then yes, he will be a vital part of the team."
However, Zambia already attempted to lure
Musonda in 2016, and the coach has
acknowledged the challenges that have
accompanied his attempts to recruit this
precocious talent.
"We have conflicting reports over the issue of his
nationality, because yes, his parents are from
here but the boys were born in Belgium,"
Nyirenda continued.
"When you are reading some European texts they
refer to him as Belgian U21 international, so it
has been a little bit tricky for us to just say 'here
we are'."
Zambia's recent successes under Nyirenda
include back-to-back victories over North African
giants Algeria in September, while they also ran
Nigeria close before eventually losing 1-0 in
Kano.
Former U-20 stars Enoch Mwepu, Fashion Sakala
and Patson Daka have made a seamless
transition to the senior team, and while other
former youth internationals such Emmanuel
Banda and Edward Chilufya are waiting in the
wings.
Musonda, who made 24 La Liga appearances
while on loan with Real Betis over the last two
seasons, would be a valuable addition to this
talented collective.
He's played twice for Chelsea in the Premier
League this term - both times as a substitute -
and scored his first goal for Chelsea in a Carabao
Cup third-round clash against Nottingham Forest
in September, earning some measured praise from
coach Antonio Conte.
"He's a talented player and he has to continue in
this way and when there is the opportunity to
help us he must do this," the Italian coach told
journalists, as per the Metro.