In his first two months as a professional, 19-year-old winger Tyrique George has experienced a whirlwind of highs and lows. The period saw a deadline-day transfer to Fulham collapse at the last minute, a crucial goal to help save Chelsea in the Carabao Cup against Lincoln City, a first Champions League start as a centre-forward, and his first goal for England’s Under-21s.
His ability to navigate these challenges is credited by those closest to him to a grounded mentality instilled from a young age. “We live by a motto I came up with, which is ‘Humble and grateful’,” says George’s father, Bola. “You can play him anywhere, he is not going to moan. You just have to embrace the setbacks. When you get to where these guys are, you need to be still, you have to be a rock.”
Bola has been instrumental in his son’s development since he joined Chelsea’s academy as an under-8. Beyond the club’s elite coaching, he arranged for extra tuition with personal coach David Sobers from the age of 10. Sobers, who recently held a session with George to refine his skills as a striker, praises the player’s resilience. “I had no doubt he was going to do it — at Chelsea or somewhere else,” Sobers says. “Seeing him starting in the Champions League… it is definitely a big ‘Congratulations’ moment, but it is not something that I did not expect.”
George’s determination is a reflection of his father’s disciplined approach. The 19-year-old, who earns enough for his own home, still lives with his father and stepmother. “I am from a Nigerian background,” Bola explains. “My parents and I very much take this way of living on — if you are going to do something, then do it properly.” This ethos of personal responsibility is a core principle. “If you are not happy about something, do more. It means you do not have the manager’s attention. The buck stops with you; we do not blame others.”
This discipline extended beyond the pitch. Bola delayed his son’s driving lessons to minimize distractions. “I thought, at that crucial time, he did not need to be driving,” he recalls. “With a licence, suddenly you can get to places. You want to be with your friends, you are out more. I said to him, ‘Trust me, park the driving’. So he took the train… I like to think that stance paid off.”
To accelerate his development, Bola had George train and play with Sobers’ team of 18- to 21-year-olds when he was just 13. “The other players are a bit big!” Sobers recalls. “But Tyrique kept up. He learned to win the ball off them, play and get success. This builds so much confidence.”
While many fans know George as a left-winger, he began as a right-back and played extensively in midfield roles throughout his time in Chelsea’s academy. This versatile footballing education is now paying dividends, with first-team head coach Enzo Maresca deploying him as a centre-forward. George scored his first senior goal from that position against Legia Warsaw in the Conference League and later netted a crucial equaliser against Fulham in the Premier League.
“Tyrique likes to score, and playing as a striker is an opportunity to get on the pitch,” Bola says. “He is very comfortable playing as a No. 10, so being central comes naturally to him. He is not a hardened striker… but if it drops, there is a good chance he will hit the target.”
After making 26 senior appearances last season, George decided to seek more regular playing time and agreed to join Fulham for a reported £22 million. However, the move collapsed dramatically on deadline day.
“The deadline was at 7pm, but a deal sheet was in, so there was a two-hour window to complete the move,” Bola recalls. “At 8.45pm, for whatever reason, Fulham changed their minds. Tyrique was upset. An hour later, we got a call from a senior member of Chelsea’s leadership team. They were incredibly supportive, saying: ‘Come back. Fight for your place. No problems’.”
He returned to Chelsea training to supportive banter from his teammates. “By Friday, you would never have known Monday’s events even happened,” Bola says. “It is not what happens to us, it is how we deal with it. And you can use any setback as fuel.”
George has since earned his first two Under-21 caps, scoring the winner against Andorra. With striker Liam Delap nearing a return from injury, George’s time up front may be limited, but for now, he remains a key option, beginning with Wednesday’s Champions League match against Ajax.
“He is always ready for however Chelsea need him,” Bola concludes. “It is not about the financial rewards with Tyrique; it is the achievement of playing for them more than anything. It is a pride we all carry as a family.”
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