Meet 'resilient' Chelsea winger Mathis Eboue
Chelsea forward Mathis Eboue has six goals and three assists in his final six matches of the season as his side lifted the Under‑18s Premier League title a fortnight ago.
Mathis Eboue scored 10 goals and delivered six assists in 24 under-18s Premier League appearances this season [Getty Images] Forward Mathis Eboue was on Chelsea's first team bench at Liverpool on Saturday in a breakthrough season. The 17‑year‑old has been nominated for the league's Player of the Season award alongside striker Chizaram Ezenwata, after his side lifted the Under-18s Premier League this weekend. He has six goals and provided three assists in his final six matches of the season.
It was also the year he earned his first professional contract and made debut appearances in the EFL Trophy, Uefa Youth League and Premier League International Cup. Eboue, typically operating as an inverted left winger and using his pace to score and create goals, joined Chelsea just 18 months ago amid interest from Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Wolves. While it may appear a straightforward rise‑and‑rise story, the youngster — who prides himself on being a good team‑mate behind the scenes — is described as "resilient" by those who know him well.
One example cited is how he manages Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy, a medical condition diagnosed in April 2022. The condition does not prevent participation in elite sport but can involve muscle jerks and, if poorly managed, seizures. His mother, Aurelie Bertrand, has guided Eboue's career to date, from kicking a ball at the age of four to joining the Total Football Academy in north London, where he was also mentored by former Arsenal academy player and EFL footballer Jo Kuffour.
It was at the Top Ballerz Academy that the now England Under-17 international was spotted by Watford at the age of 13 — unusually late for such a highly rated youngster. He has also shifted from idolising Neymar as a child to citing Cristiano Ronaldo as his inspiration, particularly for his work ethic. It will take further hard work, more goals and continued resilience for Eboue to establish himself at Chelsea — but that remains his ambition as he looks to maximise his potential.