body-container-line-1
10.12.2007 Sports News

Gideon Baah Shines…At Chelsea Trials

10.12.2007 LISTEN
By Daily Guide

The fairytale story of Ghanaian midfielder Gideon Baah continues after the youngster impressed in his first week of trials with English giants Chelsea.

The 16-year-old won a football reality show, Metro MTN Sports Academy, in Ghana last month which won him the chance at Stamford Bridge.

Baah managed to beat off competition from 32,000 other applicants to win the reality show in Accra and must impress the coaches at Chelsea to win a contract.

But his experience during the competition in his home country seems to have adequately prepared him for the challenge and the youngster has already made an impact.

"Gideon is a fantastic talent with amazing skills and he has already won many hearts here at the academy," Chelsea junior team captain Nana Twumasi said.

Twumasi, who was also born in Ghana but a junior England international, has offered much needed support but the best encouragement has come from Michael Essien, Chelsea's star midfielder.

Baah is thrilled with his performance in his first week of stay at the club and says the support he has received from Essien has been crucial to his good performance.

"Nana Twumasi is just like the brother you have who will make sure that you are happy all the time," Baah said.

"He has shown all the tricks and tips to win a contract and I am keen to stay at this club.

"But I am positively surprised with the support I have received from Essien and what he has done to help me since I came here.
"You wouldn't expect a player of his calibre to come down to the academy let alone coming to visit me and also to give advice and support.

"This is what has pushed me to do more here so that I don't disappoint him because he has put his heart on me to stay here.
"He has introduced me to the big names like Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, Claude Makelele, Solomon Kalou, Sean Wright Phillips, Petr Cech and the rest.

Baah, who has been given the Chelsea number 52 jersey, outwitted five players including the keeper to score during Wednesday's training and his overall performance has rallied his new team-mates.

"I can't believe what is happening to me," he said.
Baah will complete his trials with Chelsea next week. Ghanasoccernet

body-container-line