Dastan Satpayev's former manager at Kairat, Rafael Urazbakhtin, has declared that the 17-year-old Chelsea signing is 'stronger', 'faster' and 'more resilient' than Liam Delap, giving him a 'good chance' of making a mark at Stamford Bridge. The comments come after Satpayev's impressive debut performance against Sydney Wanderers, where he scored within six minutes and continually troubled the defence.
Satpayev's Journey to Chelsea
Satpayev, a Kazakhstan international, agreed to join Chelsea from Kairat in February 2025 for a reported fee of around €4 million (£3.4 million). Due to international transfer regulations, he was unable to link up with his new teammates until this summer, after turning 18. His transition has been smooth, with head coach Xabi Alonso showing faith by starting him against Sydney Wanderers.
Alonso, who previously knew Satpayev from his time in Almaty, praised the youngster's attributes: 'He is a ball threat, he attacks the inner channel well and is good as a striker coming from the outside. He is really strong, really quick and I have been really impressed with him.'
Urazbakhtin's Verdict
In an interview with Sports.ru, Urazbakhtin revealed details of Chelsea's plans for Satpayev, stating that the club intended to keep him and provide playing time to aid his adaptation. He said: 'Dastan has a very good chance of establishing himself in the team. When we went to Chelsea and stayed there for training, we spoke with the scouting department. Of course, this was before Alonso, but their plan was that Dastan would stay at Chelsea no matter what, and they would give him playing time to help him adapt.'
Urazbakhtin went further, comparing Satpayev directly to Delap: 'They have a striker, Delap. In my opinion, Dastan is stronger. He's younger, faster. Delap may have more experience – he's played in the Championship and the Premier League. However, Dastan is faster, more resilient, and more versatile. Delap, for example, is a pure forward. I'd prefer Dastan to Delap.'
Debut Performance and Future Prospects
Satpayev's debut against Sydney Wanderers was a standout, with Urazbakhtin noting: 'He showed his worth from the first minute. This goal will boost Dastan's confidence and the confidence of the coaching staff. We listened to Alonso's press conference – he spoke very highly of his performance.'
The youngster also featured as a substitute in Chelsea's 2-1 loss to Tottenham, replacing goalscorer Estevao with 20 minutes remaining. Alonso, when asked about Satpayev's future, said: 'We still have to take decisions.'
With such backing from his former mentor and early praise from Alonso, Satpayev appears poised to make a significant impact at Chelsea. His versatility and pace could offer a different dimension to the attack, potentially challenging Delap's position in the squad.
