For years, the name of ‘The Special One’, Jose Mourinho used to ring round Stamford Bridge, but next it could be The ‘Cho$en One’, Derrick Abu, whose name could be sung for two reasons.
The promising Chelsea academy right-back has been hitting the right notes on the pitch and in the studio.
Growing up in West London, German-born, with a Nigerian background, the 18-year-old has made a name for himself and followed his love of both football and music ever since a kid.
Abu coincidentally established his talent both on and off the pitch at the same age, where he signed for Chelsea at ten years old from his local grassroots club, Woodmansterne Hyde, and recalls how he got into music.
“I started music in the choir at church when I was a kid growing up”, he says. “I’ve always been into music, and I used to listen to JLS, Michael Jackson and so many other music groups and bands.
“When I got to ten, I started writing my own songs and the rest just built on!”
The rest certainly did just build on for the youngster. His life has flourished, and fast forward eight years, is pursuing his very own rap career, under the moniker, ‘Cho$en’, whilst continuing to play for Chelsea.
The talented prospect fearlessly knew from a young age he was “Cho$en” to do this and was spoken into existence.
“It was something I always used to say when I was really young; ‘Listen I’m chosen to do something great’, as I was good and enjoyed Sporting and Performing Arts at school, so I always told myself I am chosen to do this.
“My Nan used to call me ‘Chosen’ and it means ‘God chose me’, which is where it stems from, but then it grew into my own interpretation of Chosen.”
Abu released his first single in February called ‘Life’s Changing’, and has proven to be his biggest hit - with over 38,000 views on YouTube, it will always be something he will cherish and fondly remember as the beginning of his journey.
“’Life’s Changing’ is my favourite song I’ve released so far. Why? Because people can connect to it easily, as it’s related to football and life”, he added.
“I made it in my room. I didn’t think anything of it. It was one of those days where you just make one of them songs, and it was a good introduction to what I want to release to the world and next thing you know, it gets a whole crazy reaction!”
Fast approaching his nineteenth birthday, Abu has released five songs to date, with his most recent being ‘Waste My Time’, he most certainly is someone who doesn’t have any time to waste.
He is preparing to end 2022 in the right tune and is set release more music this month:
“My plans for the rest of 2022? I plan to drop an EP [Extended Play] that will include six songs, and I will release this on the 18th of December, my Birthday, so it’s coming close, and I plan to drop a lot more in 2023.”
With over 2,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, his fans are in for an early Christmas present, who gave a little teaser of what to expect this month.
“You can expect a variety of different ranges of the type of music I make, because I can sing and rap. You can also expect to see more of the real me”, the 18-year-old added.
‘Little Do You Know’, another song Derrick has released, announced on his Instagram, where little did I know at the time, created a song named ‘Reece James’ and plans to release it in his EP, called ‘Page 1’.
Ironically, during the interview, the topic of Chelsea right-back sensation, Reece James was discussed, who has taken massive strides in his career over the last few years.
The 23-year-old academy graduate & England international has cemented his spot in Chelsea’s first team, and has gone on to make eighty-nine appearances, becoming one of the Blues’ most important players, whilst in that time playing a pivotal role in the Blues' 2021 Champions League triumph.
If Derrick isn’t in the studio making music, then he’s at Chelsea’s training ground, Cobham, working hard to better himself on the pitch.
Being a right-back, he feels he doesn’t have to look much further than his teammate, his good friend, James.
“Reece James is my favourite football”, marvelled Abu. “He’s like a big brother to me. I look up to him, because I’ve watched him since I was a kid, since I’ve been at Chelsea, so learning off him and watching him grow and becoming the best right-back in the world - I have no better person to look at and learn from. He’s a great guy.”
Abu also hopes to emulate the footsteps of his compatriot on the international level for England, who has currently made two appearances at Under-17 level for the Three Lions.
The option of playing for another country hasn’t been ruled out. German-born, Abu is eligible to represent the national teams of his birth as well as Nigeria.
A final decision is yet to be made, but England remains the goal.
“I don’t know for sure. But it will probably be England.
“I can represent Nigeria and Germany which I am open to, but England is my first choice because I’ve grown up most of my life here. Germany would be my second choice and then Nigeria, but nothing is set in stone. We’ll see.”
Abu, who can also play centre-back, is relishing the opportunity to learn from undoubtedly Chelsea’s best defender, John Terry.
The former Chelsea and England captain made his return at the end of last year, taking up a coaching consultancy role at the academy.
It's not something he takes for granted but takes every moment with both hands.
“It’s a dream - you can’t learn from anyone better. Any information he gives out, I take it every ounce I can. He’s amazing.
“When he wants to explain something that you can do better, he gives you an example because he’s been there, he’s done it and he shows you the right things to do. You can’t ask for anything better than to have the club’s greatest centre-back ever teaching you how to defend.”
Over the season, Abu has had the taste of first-team training, and has been nothing but a positive experience, as he looks to impress new head coach, Graham Potter.
“It’s been really good", says Abu. “It’s a blessing to play with these types of world-class players that you dream of playing with. They are all technically very good.
“I’ve got nothing but praise for them – they are where they are for a reason, so it’s good to learn and build from them.”
Abu then highlighted which player has caught his eye in training the most and specified what makes him a cut above the rest.
“Jorginho, 100%. This guy is a joke.
“His vision is out of this world. He’ll receive the ball and he’ll find a pass that just doesn’t look on and will always look to play forward. For example, if a player makes a run he’ll play the pass, he won’t turn it down. He just doesn’t lose the ball!
“People that watch him on TV don’t really understand how good he is. He is one of the best players I have ever seen.”
To get to this stage typifies his ability and hunger, but a reminisce he and his family will forever hold close to their hearts, was putting pen to paper on his professional contract with Chelsea, at the age of seventeen.
Knowing all the sacrifices and commitments pay off over a seven-year period is a moment filled with many emotions; pride, relief, excitement, joy & enthralment. But a little voice in the back of his mind naggingly reminds him: ‘This is where the real journey begins’.
“It was amazing. It was a big accomplishment, and I was so happy because it was something my family and I always dreamt of ever since I signed for Chelsea, and it was a big step in the right direction with the stuff I wanted to achieve.”
From the outside, the demands of juggling between playing for one of the world’s most competitive academies and producing music on a consistent basis seems almost impossible - but for Abu, it’s what he loves, and doesn’t feel the need to exert all his attention into one.
“I manage to balance both as I enjoy both so much, so I don’t really find it a massive chore”, he explained. “When I get home from a tough day of training, instead of going on my PlayStation or chilling, l will just go into my home studio and make some music.
“Football is my main priority of course, because it’s something I do every single day since it’s my job, whereas music is more of a stress relief, which I can share with the world and if that goes big, I will embrace it.
“My heart is in music and football, so I will stick to both.”
The message at this point is clear - Abu wears his heart on his sleeve. He’s a mentality monster and his momentous level of maturity at the age of eighteen is astounding.
His unique story is something to take inspiration from and Abu hopes his scintillating path can help inspire others.
“Doing both football and music, I put myself into two different worlds’, mentioned Abu.
“When I’m a footballer, I try to be a role model and make people follow their dreams.
“On the music side, I try to put myself in different people’s shoes, as when you’re an artist, you must be creative, and if I use that art and creative mindset to create a story or an image for people to understand and take in, it fills me with joy.”
Being different and taking that step can be quite a daunting and overwhelming process for some, and with the use of social media at our hands, anyone can write anything.
Abu feels there are people in his position who have other talents but are afraid to make the next jump due to the fear of judgemental comments from the outside.
Mental health is a serious topic - it can affect people in different ways, but Abu is eager to shed light for those that need that little push and kindly delivered a strong uplifting message.
“If you truly enjoy it, then just do it. Follow your passion & heart, even if others around you don’t agree. Take that step, you only have one shot at it.
“Don’t shut down opportunities, as that honour could be a massive blessing. Take that step because no one knows tomorrow. You don’t want to live life in regret.
“How are you going to win if you are scared to take the risk? Make the most of it.”
Along the way, you are most likely going to stumble across hate from others, but Abu is a big believer in turning each negative into a positive.
“In regard to hate? I just use that as fuel. I look at it like this; If I’m not getting hate, then I’m not doing something right – It just shows me to keep doing what I’m doing.
“I take the positives and negatives and use it to better myself.”
The words from Abu throughout were breath-taking and mesmerizing to listen to. It’s something that comes naturally to him, who recently had the opportunity to visit his old secondary school to share his journey so far.
“It was a massive honour and blessing to visit my primary school and talk to the kids about my ongoing story. I was once in their shoes, so it was a really nice experience and I hope some kids are inspired and hungry to seek great things.”
The idea of becoming a motivational speaker on a regular basis is something that has crossed Abu’s mind. His friends have acknowledged another one of his scintillating talents, “they tell me I would be a good motivational speaker in front of large crowds.”
Whether Abu pursues this as another one of his side hobbies, is a question that remains unanswered, but this isn’t the only matter that’s uncertain, whose blue may not be the colour come next season.
Abu’s contract with Chelsea expires in the summer of 2023, and his future isn’t clear on whether he stays at the club or if his future lies elsewhere, who kept his cards close to his chest, “We’ll see, we’ll see...”
With 2022 coming to an end, it’s always important to take a moment to reflect on the year’s events and this is what Abu decided to do.
The picture of Abu’s life is painted as the “dream life”, but just like every human being, everyone has good and bad days and was a whirlwind mixture of what he experienced.
“This year has been a roller-coaster”, recalls Abu.
“I started off the year very well, as I just got over an injury and I was playing again. I then dropped my first song ‘Life’s Changing’ and momentum was on my side - then I got injured again. I fractured my shin, and that kept me out till the end of season and times were very uncertain.
“Then summer pre-season came around and I had a list of clubs interested in signing me, but I decided to stay at Chelsea.
“Once the season started, I was beginning to trust my body again and started to play and feel happy.
“Overall, it’s been a mix of emotions, but it’s made me 100% stronger, I feel like I’m over the hard times. The tables have turned now.”
A big year awaits him both on and off the pitch and the uncertainty of not knowing what is around the corner is somewhat scary but also extremely exciting.
Derrick Abu has been ‘Cho$en’ on a path to greatness, with an eye to top the charts. Remember the name.
Nathan Gissing
