Mulder’s Work in Progress

Lars Mulder looks like a project worth patience. Watching the 18-year-old Dutchman with Chelsea U21, our scout saw a midfielder whose work rate keeps him involved, whose balance helps him stay composed under pressure, and whose anticipation brings him into the right spaces early. He also looks for the team: a tidy, useful instinct in a club that has just extended its English Premier Division title run to 41 seasons.

Mulder’s senior record remains slight, with one club game across three clubs between 2061/62 and 2062/63. That makes the next step more important than any grand prediction: regular football, chances to show those habits, and room to grow into Chelsea’s plans. There is promise here, but it should be developed rather than hurried.