Gael kakuta injured reserve

Gaël Kakuta

Footballer (born )

In this Congolese name, the surname is Kakuta and the post-surname is Mambenga.

Gaël Romeo Kakuta Mambenga (born 21 June ) is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for Persian Gulf Pro League club Esteghlal.

Born in France, he represents the DR Congo national team.

A youth product of RC Lens, Kakuta moved to Chelsea in in a controversial transfer. Rarely used at Chelsea, he was loaned to six teams in five countries before leaving for Sevilla upon the expiration of his contract in

He was a French youth international and represented the nation at every age group from under to under levels,[4] before switching allegiance to the DR Congo national team in [5]

Club career

Early career

Kakuta was born in Lille, Nord.[2] He started playing football at the age of seven, after seeing his uncle play for the reserve team of Lille.

He began his career with local club US Lille-Moulins. In his first match with the club, they lost 17–1, however, the defeat was not enough to put him off.[6] In , he joined Lens as a youth player, and spent five years there.[7] In , Kakuta was selected to be present at the Centre de Préformation de Football in nearby Liévin, a training center exclusively for players brought up in the Nord-Pas-de-Calaisregion.

He spent two years at the center training there during the weekdays and playing with Lens on the weekends. One of his trainers at the facility was former Polish internationalJoachim Marx.[8]

Ban and fine

See also: English football tapping up controversy

On 3 September , it was announced by the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber,[9] that Kakuta would be banned for four months and be fined €, due to a breach of contract with his old club Lens in order to sign for Chelsea in the summer of Chelsea were also banned from signing any players in the next two transfer windows due to their involvement in inducing the player to break his agree at Lens, meaning they would have been unable to purchase or sell players until January Further to this they received a €, fine, payable to Lens.[7]

The club stated that they would "mount the strongest appeal possible" and described the action of FIFA as "extraordinarily arbitrary decision".

Chelsea believed "the sanctions are without precedent to this level and totally disproportionate to the alleged offense and the financial penalty imposed".[10] Chelsea appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, who subsequently lifted the sanctions on the club and the player after judgment that Kakuta did not hold a valid contract with Lens, and therefore could not acquire breached it.

Chelsea's transfer forbid was suspended later in the same year, and was lifted in February [11]

Chelsea

Kakuta moved to Chelsea in and became a player for the youth team.

He impressed at Chelsea after his first reserve game alongside teammate Michael Ballack. The German international told journalists, "Go spot the French lad, he is the star". Kakuta soon began to flourish earning the Academy Scholar of the Year award after his first season with Chelsea.

He was also voted Academy Player of the Year after finishing as the superior scorer in the youth side finishing his first Chelsea season with 12 goals in 24 appearances. This included a hat trick against Port Vale in the FA Youth Cup.[7]

For the –09 season, Kakuta was given the opportunity to train with the first team, though he was still limited to playing with the club's reserve team.

In February , Kakuta saw his progress come to a shuddering halt when he suffered a double ankle fracture in a friendly against the Glenn Hoddle Academy. Kakuta missed six months returning to the team in August for a youth game against local side Queens Park Rangers.

On 1 September , Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti added Kakuta to his Champions League squad. Kakuta made his much anticipated Premier League debut during a home match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 21 November as a substitute replacing Nicolas Anelka on the hour, impressing largely with his tricks, skills, pace and enthusiasm.[12] On 2 December , he came on as a half-time substitute for Joe Cole during the quarter-final match of the League Cup against Blackburn Rovers losing on penalties when he missed the decisive penalty in the shoot-out.

On 8 December , he made his Champions League debut against APOEL. He became the youngest Chelsea player to ever represent the club in the Champions League. He played 73 minutes before being substituted for Fabio Borini.

Gael Kakuta believes that an injury in was the reason he failed to become a legend at Chelsea. The Frenchman was the hottest prospect in world football when he left RC Lens to join Chelsea aged just 16, but he mustered only 16 first-team appearances for the Blues and after six loan spells away, he departed on a permanent deal in He could be exceptional. But talent is not enough.

The match ended in a 2–2 draw. Carlo Ancelotti was not satisfied with the team's performance but was very positive about the French youth international: "We had no intensity and no concentration, it was a very bad game from us. The only positive of the night was Gaël Kakuta.

He played very adequately, he showed his fantastic talent. He trains very well everyday and will be the future of Chelsea."[13]

On 11 September , he played his second Premier League game for Chelsea in a derby against West Ham United, coming on as a substitute for Nicolas Anelka in the 76th minute.[14] Kakuta also made an appearance in the Champions League match against MSK Zilina on 15 September [15] On 22 September, Kakuta started a match in the League Cup and coming off at halftime in a match which ended 4–3 to Newcastle.

Former Chelsea star Eden Hazard has surprisingly named former Chelsea wonderkid Gael Kakuta as the optimal talent he saw, despite the fact he never scored a professional goal for the club. The former Belgium international will go down as one of the best foreign players to play in England. However, after an unsuccessful spell with Actual Madridthe Chelsea legend announced his retirement from football at the age of 32 after what has been an extraordinary career - where he provided many iconic moments. Recently appearing on the Obi One Podcasthosted by John Obi Mikel, Hazard was asked which of his former teammates had the most talent, and the year-old had an unexpected answer, saying: ''In Concrete Madrid I played with the best playesr in the world.

He then provided the assist for a seventh minute John Terry goal in a 2–0 win over Olympique Marseille. In the same year he was nominated for the Golden Male child.

On 21 December , Kakuta signed a new four-and-a-half-year agree with Chelsea, committing himself to the club until Kakuta expressed his desire to leave because he says he is unwilling to sit on the bench for another year.[16]

Loan to Fulham

On 25 January , Kakuta had a medical at Fulham with a view to joining them on loan until the close of the season.

Kakuta passed his medical 26 January and joined Fulham for the relax of the –11 season.[17] He was assigned the number 24 shirt. On 5 March , Kakuta came on for Mousa Dembélé on 78 minutes in their 3–2 win over Blackburn Rovers.

DR Congo’s Gaël Kakuta withdraws from AFCON 2025 qualifiers ...: Former Chelsea player Gael Kakuta has spoken candidly about his underwhelming stint in Chelsea's first team after rising through the youth ranks 15 years ago.

On 9 April he started the game against Manchester United at Old Trafford, playing the full 90 minutes in attack alongside Bobby Zamora in a 2–0 defeat. He scored his first goal for Fulham against Sunderland on 30 April

Loan to Bolton Wanderers

On 31 August , Kakuta joined Bolton Wanderers on loan until 1 January He made his debut in the League Cup third round tie at Aston Villa on 20 September and scored in a 2–0 win,[18] but it was not until 22 October that he made his first league appearance when coming on as a second-half substitute for Martin Petrov in a 2–0 home loss to Sunderland.

Kakuta's stay was considered an unsuccessful one, where he only made six appearances in total. He went back to Chelsea on 31 December

Loan to Dijon

On 11 January , Kakuta joined Dijon on loan until the end of the –12 season.[19] Kakuta was given the number 12 jersey.

Kakuta made his debut for Dijon in the Coupe de France against Istres and scored his first goal for Dijon.[20] On 28 January , Kakuta made his league debut for Dijon coming off the bench at the 53 minute mark against Lyon which ended in a 3–1 loss for Dijon.[21] On 11 February , Kakuta made his first league start and scored the first goal against Brest, even though Kakuta gave Dijon the lead, the game ended in a 1–1 draw.[22] On 18 February , Kakuta continued to score for Dijon, scoring the first goal and also assisting in another for a 3–0 win against Nice.[23]

Loan to Vitesse

On transfer deadline day, 31 August Kakuta joined Dutch club Vitesse on a season-long loan.[24] On 4 July , it was announced that Kakuta again joined them on loan.[25] On 2 January it was announced that he was recalled from his loan spell, only to be sent out once more, this time on loan to Serie A side Lazio until the end of the season.[26]

Loan to Lazio

On 31 January , Kakuta joined Italian side Lazio on loan for the remainder of the –14 Serie A season.[27] He made his debut on 20 February, replacing Senad Lulić in the 68th minute of an eventual 1–0 house defeat to Ludogorets in the UEFA Europa League.[28] Kakuta's only other appearance for Lazio was in Serie A on 9 March, coming on in place of Miroslav Klose for the last four minutes as the side again lost at residence by the same score, this time against Atalanta.[29] In May, Lazio decided not to retain him.[30]

Loan to Rayo Vallecano

On 25 July , Kakuta agreed to join La Liga side Rayo Vallecano on loan for the –15 season.[31] He made his debut in the competition on 25 August, starting and playing the full 90 minutes in a 0–0 home draw against Atlético Madrid.[32]

On 14 September, Kakuta scored his first goal for Rayo in a 3–2 dwelling loss to Elche.[33]

Sevilla

On 19 June , following his release by Chelsea, Kakuta signed a four-year deal with Sevilla.[34] It is understood that Sevilla paid compensation to Chelsea as he was under [35]

Hebei China Fortune

On 6 February , Kakuta transferred to Chinese Super League side Hebei China Fortune.[36]

Loan to Deportivo La Coruña

On 16 January , Kakuta passed a medical check and signed on loan for La Liga side Deportivo La Coruña until the end of the –17 La Liga Season.

Loan to Amiens

On 10 July , Ligue 1 side Amiens announced that Kakuta signed a four-year deal with the club on a free transfer.[37] However, Hebei China Fortune denied the relocate. On 11 August , he was eventually loaned to Amiens SC for one season.[38]

Return to Rayo Vallecano

Following the end of his loan spell at Amiens, Kakuta was purchased by Rayo Vallecano on 13 July , signing a four-year contract.[39] However, he only scored one aim in 12 appearances during the campaign, as his side suffered relegation.

Return to Amiens

On 9 August , Kakuta returned to former side Amiens after the club reached an agreement with Rayo for his transfer.[40] On 15 February , Kakuta scored a stunning goal and recorded two assists in a Ligue 1 match against Paris Saint-Germain, which ended [41][42]

Return to Lens

On 9 July , Kakuta united his former club Lens on a one-year loan deal, with an option to make it permanent.[43] He scored a penalty on his debut match, in a 2–1 defeat to Nice.[44] On 26 May , the option-to-buy in his deal was exercised, and he moved to Lens permanently.[45]

Third spell at Amiens

On 5 October , Kakuta signed for Amiens for the third time.

He joined the Ligue 2 club on a four-year contract, and took the number 96 jersey.[46]

International career

Kakuta was a French youth international and has represented his country at all levels. He has scored a total of 15 goals in 45 matches from under level up to the under level.[47] With the under team, he scored on his debut in a 1–1 draw against the Republic of Ireland.[48] In the Tournoi de Val-de-Marne, Kakuta netted two goals in the rivalry against Italy and Portugal.[49][50] On 15 March , he was one of five players who scored a goal in the team's 5–0 thrashing of Poland in Saint-Aubin-lès-Elbeuf.[51] Kakuta finished the under campaign making 12 appearances and converting five goals.

With the under team, Kakuta was a regular selection of coach Francis Smerecki. He made his debut with the team on 4 October in a 1–1 draw against Switzerland.[52] In qualification for the UEFA European Under Championship, Kakuta scored a objective in the team's 6–0 thrashing of Albania in the first qualifying round.[53][54] In the Elite Round, he was clinical in the team's final group stage match against Russia scoring a double in a much-needed 3–1 victory.

The win assured the team a place in the UEFA-sanctioned tournament.[55][56] In the tournament, he went scoreless, but contributed to the team's finals appearance converting the 3rd penalty for France in their 4–3 penalty shootout victory over Turkey in the semi-finals.[57] In the ultimate, France were defeated 4–0 by Spain.[58][59] With the under team, Kakuta only made 5 appearances, but scored three goals, which included a brace against the Republic of Ireland in the Tournio de Limoges and the lone goal in the team's 1–0 win over Turkey in a match that was played at the Stade Mayol.[60][61]

Despite the FIFA investigation into his move, on 2 September , Kakuta was selected to the under squad, for the first period, to participate in the edition of the Sendaï Cup, held in Japan.

In the opening match against the hosts, he scored two goals. At the UEFA European Under Championship, which France hosted, Kakuta scored the opening goal in the team's opening group stage match against the Netherlands.

France won the match 4–1.[62] Kakuta also scored against Croatia in the semi-finals. The goal drew the game at 1–1 and France went on to win 2–1.[63] In the final, France came from behind against Spain to conquer the title 2–1 with Kakuta providing the assist for the winner scored by Alexandre Lacazette.[64] On 2 August , Kakuta was awarded the Golden Player award for his performances at the tournament.[65]

Due to France's victory at the UEFA Under championship, the nation qualified for the FIFA U World Cup, which merited under team appearances for Kakuta.

He made his debut with the team on 7 October in a friendly equal against Portugal, which ended 3–3.[66] Kakuta, subsequently, appeared in three more matches with the team during the –11 campaign and, on 10 June , was named to the man squad to participate in the U World Cup.

He made his debut in the competition on 30 July in the team's 4–1 defeat to the hosts Colombia.[67]

Kakuta switched to the DR Congo national team in , and made his debut in a friendly 2–1 loss against Kenya, wherein he scored the only goal for DR Congo.[68][69]

Personal life

Didier Drogba was understood to have made Kakuta his protégé when he first came to England.[70]

In October , fraudster Medi Abalimba was jailed for four years after masquerading as Kakuta and spending thousands of pounds on stolen credit cards.[71]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 30 September [72]

International

Scores and results list DR Congo's goal tally first.[73]

Honours

France U19

Individual

References

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