Dastan Satpayev started for Chelsea against Western Sydney Warriors at Accor Stadium on Tuesday morning and scored six minutes into the pre-season friendly, even though he is not officially a Chelsea player yet. The 17-year-old is set to join on August 12.
Chelsea have had an agreement in place with Kairat Almaty since last February to sign Satpayev on his 18th birthday, in a deal thought to be worth around £3.3million plus add-ons. That arrangement explains why he could travel with Chelsea in Australia and Asia before the transfer is formally completed.
Accor Stadium and the trialist route
Satpayev was taken on Chelsea's pre-season tour of Australia and Asia and selected to start in Chelsea's pre-season friendly meeting with Western Sydney Warriors as part of a 28-man pre-season squad. He complied with the criteria of an international trialist, which let Chelsea include him before his official move.
The match moved quickly after build-up play from the back, and Ryan Kavuma-McQueen set up Satpayev for the finish. Xabi Alonso had him in the starting side, and the goal came before the deal date that will make him an official Chelsea player.
Kairat Almaty for Dastan Satpayev
The timing leaves Chelsea with a player who can contribute in pre-season now while his registration remains pending until August 12. For Chelsea and Dastan Satpayev, the practical step next is simple: the agreement already exists, and the formal transfer follows on the date tied to his 18th birthday.
His goal in West London's pre-season cycle gives Chelsea a clearer look at what they have lined up from Kairat Almaty for Dastan Satpayev before the paperwork catches up with the football.
