Chelsea will have to wait. Caleb Wiley’s main goal for the next two and a half weeks is to win a medal at the Paris Olympics.
The American defender has already secured a move to the Premier League with Chelsea, but now his focus is set on achieving another accomplishment.
“Our goal is to win a medal,” Wiley told The Associated Press. “I’m confident that we can do it.”
The U.S. men’s national team is competing in the Olympics for the first time since 2008. They will face host nation France, considered one of the top contenders, in Marseille on Wednesday.
At just 19 years old, Wiley’s transfer to Chelsea for a reported $11 million has garnered attention, especially from Chelsea fans.
Since the announcement, Wiley has received numerous messages but has been unable to respond to all of them as he prepares for his Olympic participation.
Despite the excitement of his transfer, Wiley explained that focusing on the Olympics has helped him stay grounded during the negotiation process. He first learned of Chelsea’s interest months ago and has been concentrating on his current team, Atlanta United, and now the Olympic Games.
“For me, the most important thing was to stay in the present moment. It’s been an ongoing process for a few months,” Wiley said.
“I’ve tried to enjoy the experience because not many young athletes get this opportunity. It’s important to embrace it.”
