Chelsea have announced that Ishe Samuels-Smith has been handed a new long-term contract.

Since the arrival of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital as co-owners, the Blues have made a habit of handing lengthy deals to first-team stars.

Starlets from abroad have also seen Chelsea invest heavily in their futures, while the likes of Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George are recent academy graduates who are now viewed as first-team squad members.

While Samuels-Smith is yet to make that step, the Premier League outfit have announced the left-back has penned terms through to the end of 2030-31.

Why has Samuels-Smith earned new contract

Two years ago, Chelsea signed Samuels-Smith from Everton, viewing him as someone who could eventually make the step-up into the senior ranks.

Samuels-Smith - now 18 years of age - is still awaiting his first-team bow, albeit having been named on the substitutes' bench on six different occasions.

Aside from three appearances in the EFL Trophy, the versatile defender has since had to make do with 18 outings in Premier League 2 this season.

A total of two goals and four assists have been scored during those fixtures, with the England Under-19 international largely playing at left-back or centre-back.

Should Samuels-Smith expect a debut anytime soon?

Although Chelsea are 3-0 up on Legia Warsaw after the first leg of their Conference League quarter-final, Samuels-Smith is currently not registered on the squad's 'B' List.

As such, it would come as a surprise if he featured in the squad for the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, it seemingly unlikely that any senior appearances will come this campaign.

Marc Cucurella is the standout preferred option of Enzo Maresca at left-back, with Malo Gusto and Acheampong alternatives while Renato Veiga is on loan at Juventus.

Therefore, despite their commitment to Samuels-Smith's development, Chelsea have decisions to make over his short-term future with a loan to an EFL club for 2025-26 a realistic solution. body check tags ::