Gaël Kakuta
Encyclopedia
Gaël Kakuta is a French footballer of Congolese
descent. He currently plays for Premier League club Bolton Wanderers
on loan from Chelsea
. He is a French youth international
and has represented them at under-17
, under-18
, under-19
and under-20
levels, scoring a total of 15 goals in 48 games throughout all levels.
. 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. In 1999, he joined Lens
as a youth player, and spent five years there. In 2004, Kakuta was selected to attend the Centre de Préformation de Football in nearby Liévin
, a training center exclusively for players brought up in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region
. 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 international
Joachim Marx
. "The easiest way to describe him is a phenomenon," said Lens scout Marx. "I was director of a French Federation football school when I first worked with him. Between the ages of 13–15 you could see he had everything. "Perhaps one criticism was that he didn't try very hard sometimes in training – because he didn't need to! He could already do everything."
. He impressed at Chelsea after his first reserve game along side teammate Michael Ballack
. The German international
told journalists, "Go see 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 top 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
.
For the 2008–09 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 2009, 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 2009, 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 2009 as a substitute replacing Nicolas Anelka
on the hour, impressing largely with his tricks, skills, pace and enthusiasm. On 2 December 2009, 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 2009, 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 by Fabio Borini
. 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 well, he showed his fantastic talent. He trains very well everyday and will be the future of Chelsea."
On 11 September 2010, 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. Kakuta also made an appearance in the Champions League match against MSK Zilina
on 15 September 2010. 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. He then provided the assist for a seventh minute John Terry
goal in a 2–0 win over Olympique Marseille.
On 21 December 2010, Kakuta signed a new four-and-a-half year contract with Chelsea, committing himself to the club until 2015.
with a view to joining them on loan until the end of the season. Kakuta passed his medical on Wednesday, 26 January 2011 and joined Fulham for the rest of the 10/11 season. He was assigned the number 24 shirt. Since signing for The Cottagers, he has gone on to make 4 Barclays Premier League appearances for them. On 5 March 2011, Kakuta came on for Moussa Dembele
on 78 minutes in their 3–2 win over Blackburn Rovers. On 9 April 2011 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 2011.
on loan until 1 January 2012. He made his debut in the Carling Cup third round tie at Aston Villa on 20 September and scored in a 2–0 win, but it wasn't until 22 October that he made his first league appearance when coming on as a second half substitue for Martin Petrov
in a 2-0 home
loss to Sunderland
. So far during his loan at Bolton, Owen Coyle has had nothing but good to say about Kakuta in training, but he's still seeing very limited minutes.
Dispute Resolution Chamber, that Kakuta would be banned for four months and be fined €780,000 due to a breach of contract with his old club Lens
in order to sign for Chelsea in the summer of 2007. Chelsea were also banned from signing any players in the next two transfer window
s due to their involvement in inducing the player to break his contract at Lens, meaning they would have been unable to buy or sell players until January 2011. Further to this they received a €130,000 fine, payable to RC Lens.
The club stated that they would "mount the strongest appeal possible" and described the behavior 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". Chelsea appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport
, who subsequently lifted the sanctions on the club and the player after ruling that Kakuta did not have a valid contract with Lens, and therefore could not have breached it. Chelsea's transfer ban was suspended later in the same year, and was lifted in February 2010.
and has represented his country at all levels. He has scored a total of 15 goals in 45 maches from under-16 level up to the under-20 level. With the under-16 team
, he scored on his debut in a 1–1 draw against the Republic of Ireland. In the Tournoi de Val-de-Marne
, Kakuta netted two goals in the competition against Italy
and Portugal
. On 15 March 2007, he was one of five players who scored a goal in the team's 5–0 thrashing of Poland
in Saint-Aubin-lès-Elbeuf
. Kakuta finished the under-16 campaign making 12 appearances and converting five goals.
With the under-17 team
, Kakuta was a regular selection of coach Francis Smerecki. He made debut with the team on 4 October 2007 in a 1–1 draw against Switzerland
. In qualification for the 2008 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship
, Kakuta scored a goal in the team's 6–0 thrashing of Albania
in the first qualifying round. 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. 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. In the final, France were defeated 4–0 by Spain. With the under-18 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
.
Despite the FIFA investigation into his transfer, on 2 September 2009, Kakuta was selected to the under-19 squad
, for the first time, to participate in the 2009 edition of the Sendaï Cup, held in Japan. In the opening match against the hosts
, he scored two goals. At the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Football 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. Kakuta also scored against Croatia
in the semi-finals. The goal drew the match at 1–1 and France went on to win 2–1. In the final, France came from behind against Spain
to win the title 2–1 with Kakuta providing the assist for the winner scored by Alexandre Lacazette
. On 2 August 2010, Kakuta was awarded the Golden Player award for his performances at the tournament.
Due to France's victory at the UEFA Under-19 championship, the nation qualified for the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup
, which merited under-20 team
appearances for Kakuta. He made his debut with the team on 7 October 2010 in a friendly match against Portugal
, which ended 3–3. Kakuta, subsequently, appeared in three more matches with the team during the 2010–11 campaign and, on 10 June 2011, was named to the 21-man squad to participate in the U-20 World Cup. He made his debut in the competition on 30 July 2011 in the team's 4–1 defeat to the hosts Colombia
.
with his mother and older brother. Didier Drogba
is understood to have made Kakuta his protégé when he first came to England.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
descent. He currently plays for Premier League club Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
on loan from Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
. He is a French youth international
France national youth football team
The France national youth football team are the national under-20, under-19, under-18, under-17 and under-16 football teams of France and are controlled by the Fédération Française de Football. The youth teams of France participate in tournaments sanctioned by both FIFA and UEFA and also...
and has represented them at under-17
France national under-17 football team
The France national under-17 football team is the national under-17 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the annual UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship and the FIFA U-17 World Cup, which is held every four years...
, under-18
France national under-18 football team
The France national under-18 football team is the national under-18 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team serves as a feeder team to the under-19 team as its matches aren't competitive...
, under-19
France national under-19 football team
The France national under-19 football team is the national under-19 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the annual UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship. They were the 2010 champions of the competition having won on home soil...
and under-20
France national under-20 football team
The France national under-20 football team is the national under-20 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which is held every two years and the Toulon Tournament, which is held every May when football league...
levels, scoring a total of 15 goals in 48 games throughout all levels.
Early career
Kakuta first started playing football at the age of seven, after seeing his uncle play for the reserve team of LilleLille OSC
LOSC Lille Métropole is a French association football club based in Lille. The club was founded in 1944 as a result of a merger and currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football. Lille plays its home matches at the Stade Lille-Metropole in nearby Villeneuve-d'Ascq. In 2012, the...
. 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. In 1999, he joined Lens
RC Lens
Racing Club de Lens is a French association football club based in the northern city of Lens in the Pas-de-Calais department. Its nickname, sang et or , comes from its traditional colours of red and gold. Their primary rivals are their northern neighbors Lille OSC, whom they contest the Derby du...
as a youth player, and spent five years there. In 2004, Kakuta was selected to attend the Centre de Préformation de Football in nearby Liévin
Liévin
Liévin is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in northern France.-Overview:The city of Liévin is an old mining city of Pas-de-Calais. Near Lens, this modest-sized city nevertheless has several nursery schools, schools, colleges, a university, a swimming pool, a city library, a cultural and...
, a training center exclusively for players brought up in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region
Régions of France
France is divided into 27 administrative regions , 22 of which are in Metropolitan France, and five of which are overseas. Corsica is a territorial collectivity , but is considered a region in mainstream usage, and is even shown as such on the INSEE website...
. 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 international
Poland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
Joachim Marx
Joachim Marx
Joachim Jerzy Marx is a retired Polish football striker.On the national level, he played for Poland national team and was a participant at the 1972 Summer Olympics, where his team won the gold medal.With Ruch Chorzów, he played 162 matches in the Ekstraklasa scoring 66 goals...
. "The easiest way to describe him is a phenomenon," said Lens scout Marx. "I was director of a French Federation football school when I first worked with him. Between the ages of 13–15 you could see he had everything. "Perhaps one criticism was that he didn't try very hard sometimes in training – because he didn't need to! He could already do everything."
Chelsea
Kakuta moved to Chelsea in 2007 and became a key player for the youth teamChelsea F.C. Reserves and Youth Team
Chelsea F.C. Reserves are the reserve team of Chelsea Football Club. They are members of the Premier Reserve League Southern Division and the reigning champions of the Southern Division winning the Championship in 2010 - 11...
. He impressed at Chelsea after his first reserve game along side teammate Michael Ballack
Michael Ballack
Michael Ballack is a German professional footballer, who is currently playing for Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen. He is among the top goal scorers in the history of his international team. Ballack has worn the number 13 shirt for every team he has played for except for Kaiserslautern...
. The German international
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
told journalists, "Go see 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 top 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
FA Youth Cup
The Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
.
For the 2008–09 season
2008–09 in English football
The 2008–09 season was the 129th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Hull City were all playing in the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship last season. Stoke returned to the top flight after a 23-year absence, while...
, 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 2009, Kakuta saw his progress come to a shuddering halt when he suffered a double ankle fracture in a friendly against the Glenn Hoddle Academy
Glenn Hoddle Academy
The Glenn Hoddle Academy was established in 2008, by former England international footballer Glenn Hoddle. Hoddle set the academy up in the memory of his brother, Carl, a former Tottenham Hotspur player who died aged 40....
. Kakuta missed six months returning to the team in August for a youth game against local side Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
. On 1 September 2009, Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti is an Italian football manager, Nicknamed Carletto, Ancelotti played as a midfielder and had a successful career with Roma – captaining the team – with whom he won one Scudetto and 4 Coppa Italia and was part of the legendary late 80's Milan team, with whom he won two Scudetti and...
added Kakuta to his Champions League squad. Kakuta made his much anticipated Premier League debut during a home match against Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
on 21 November 2009 as a substitute replacing Nicolas Anelka
Nicolas Anelka
Abdul-Salam Bilal on 14 March 1979) is a French international footballer, who plays as a striker for English Premier League club Chelsea. Anelka was also a regular starter for the French national team...
on the hour, impressing largely with his tricks, skills, pace and enthusiasm. On 2 December 2009, he came on as a half-time substitute for Joe Cole
Joe Cole
Joseph John "Joe" Cole is an English footballer who plays for Lille, on loan from Liverpool, and the England national football team as midfielder. He started his career with where he played more than 100 games during five years, until he left for Chelsea in 2003...
during the quarter-final match of the League Cup
2009–10 Football League Cup
The 2009–10 Football League Cup, known as the Carling Cup due to the competition's sponsorship by lager brand Carling, was the 50th season of the Football League Cup, a knock-out competition for England's top 92 football clubs....
against Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
losing on penalties when he missed the decisive penalty in the shoot-out.
On 8 December 2009, he made his Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
debut against APOEL. He became the youngest Chelsea player to ever represent the club in the Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
. He played 73 minutes before being substituted by Fabio Borini
Fabio Borini
Fabio Borini is an Italian footballer who plays as a striker for Serie A club Roma on loan from Parma. He started his career at Bologna, before moving to Chelsea in 2007...
. The match ended in a 2–2 draw. Carlo Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti is an Italian football manager, Nicknamed Carletto, Ancelotti played as a midfielder and had a successful career with Roma – captaining the team – with whom he won one Scudetto and 4 Coppa Italia and was part of the legendary late 80's Milan team, with whom he won two Scudetti and...
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 well, he showed his fantastic talent. He trains very well everyday and will be the future of Chelsea."
On 11 September 2010, he played his second Premier League game for Chelsea in a derby against West Ham United, coming on as a substitute for Nicolas Anelka
Nicolas Anelka
Abdul-Salam Bilal on 14 March 1979) is a French international footballer, who plays as a striker for English Premier League club Chelsea. Anelka was also a regular starter for the French national team...
in the 76th minute. Kakuta also made an appearance in the Champions League match against MSK Zilina
MŠK Žilina
MŠK Žilina is a Slovak football club, based in the town of Žilina. They play in the Slovak Superliga and are one of the most successful clubs in this competition, having won five championships since the league's inception in 1993. The club and their supporters alike are nicknamed Šošoni...
on 15 September 2010. On 22 September, Kakuta started a match in the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
and coming off at halftime in a match which ended 4–3 to Newcastle. He then provided the assist for a seventh minute John Terry
John Terry
John George Terry is an English professional footballer. Terry plays in a centre back position and is the captain of Chelsea in the Premier League...
goal in a 2–0 win over Olympique Marseille.
On 21 December 2010, Kakuta signed a new four-and-a-half year contract with Chelsea, committing himself to the club until 2015.
Loan to Fulham
On 25 January 2011, Kakuta had a medical at FulhamFulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
with a view to joining them on loan until the end of the season. Kakuta passed his medical on Wednesday, 26 January 2011 and joined Fulham for the rest of the 10/11 season. He was assigned the number 24 shirt. Since signing for The Cottagers, he has gone on to make 4 Barclays Premier League appearances for them. On 5 March 2011, Kakuta came on for Moussa Dembele
Moussa Dembélé
Moussa Sidi Yaya Dembélé is a Belgian footballer who currently plays as an Attacking Midfielder for Fulham in the English Premier League. He has a Malian father and a Belgian mother.-Early career:...
on 78 minutes in their 3–2 win over Blackburn Rovers. On 9 April 2011 he started the game against Manchester United at Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
, playing the full 90 minutes in attack alongside Bobby Zamora
Bobby Zamora
Robert Lester "Bobby" Zamora is an English footballer who plays for Fulham and the England national football team. Zamora began his career at Football League club Bristol Rovers, but was soon signed by Brighton & Hove Albion, where he found first team success...
in a 2–0 defeat. He scored his first goal for Fulham against Sunderland on 30 April 2011.
Loan to Bolton Wanderers
On 31 August 2011 Kakuta joined Bolton WanderersBolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
on loan until 1 January 2012. He made his debut in the Carling Cup third round tie at Aston Villa on 20 September and scored in a 2–0 win, but it wasn't until 22 October that he made his first league appearance when coming on as a second half substitue for Martin Petrov
Martin Petrov
Martin Petyov Petrov is a Bulgarian footballer, currently playing for Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League.-Club career:Petrov began his career for Botev Vratsa...
in a 2-0 home
Reebok Stadium
The Reebok Stadium is the home stadium of English Premier League football club Bolton Wanderers, and is located on the Middlebrook Retail Park in Horwich, in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. It is commonly known as 'The Reebok'...
loss to Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
. So far during his loan at Bolton, Owen Coyle has had nothing but good to say about Kakuta in training, but he's still seeing very limited minutes.
Ban and fine
On 3 September 2009, it was announced by the FIFAFIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
Dispute Resolution Chamber, that Kakuta would be banned for four months and be fined €780,000 due to a breach of contract with his old club Lens
RC Lens
Racing Club de Lens is a French association football club based in the northern city of Lens in the Pas-de-Calais department. Its nickname, sang et or , comes from its traditional colours of red and gold. Their primary rivals are their northern neighbors Lille OSC, whom they contest the Derby du...
in order to sign for Chelsea in the summer of 2007. Chelsea were also banned from signing any players in the next two transfer window
Transfer window
The transfer window is the period during the year in which a football club can transfer players from other countries into their playing staff. Such a transfer is completed by registering the player into the new club through FIFA...
s due to their involvement in inducing the player to break his contract at Lens, meaning they would have been unable to buy or sell players until January 2011. Further to this they received a €130,000 fine, payable to RC Lens.
The club stated that they would "mount the strongest appeal possible" and described the behavior 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". Chelsea appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport
Court of Arbitration for Sport
The Court of Arbitration for Sport is an international arbitration body set up to settle disputes related to sport. Its headquarters are in Lausanne and its courts are located in New York, Sydney and Lausanne, Switzerland...
, who subsequently lifted the sanctions on the club and the player after ruling that Kakuta did not have a valid contract with Lens, and therefore could not have breached it. Chelsea's transfer ban was suspended later in the same year, and was lifted in February 2010.
International career
Kakuta is a French youth internationalFrance national youth football team
The France national youth football team are the national under-20, under-19, under-18, under-17 and under-16 football teams of France and are controlled by the Fédération Française de Football. The youth teams of France participate in tournaments sanctioned by both FIFA and UEFA and also...
and has represented his country at all levels. He has scored a total of 15 goals in 45 maches from under-16 level up to the under-20 level. With the under-16 team
France national under-16 football team
The France national under-16 football team is the national under-16 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team previously competed in the annual UEFA European Under-16 Football Championship before it was converted into an under-17 competition in 2002...
, he scored on his debut in a 1–1 draw against the Republic of Ireland. In the Tournoi de Val-de-Marne
Val-de-Marne
Val-de-Marne is a French department, named after the Marne River, located in the Île-de-France region. The department is situated to the southeast of the city of Paris.- Geography :...
, Kakuta netted two goals in the competition against Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
and Portugal
Portugal national under-16 football team
- FIFA U-16 World Championship :*1985: Did not qualify*1987: Did not qualify*1989: Third-place- UEFA European U-16 Football Championship :- Honours :* UEFA U-16 Championship* Montaigu Tournament...
. On 15 March 2007, he was one of five players who scored a goal in the team's 5–0 thrashing of Poland
Poland national under-16 football team
The Poland national under-16 football team represents Poland in international football at this age level and is controlled by Polish Football Association....
in Saint-Aubin-lès-Elbeuf
Saint-Aubin-lès-Elbeuf
-Population:-Places of interest:* The church of St. Aubin, dating from the fourteenth century.* The seventeenth-century château of Mathonville.* The ancient priory of Saint-Gilles.* Several old houses.-External links:* *...
. Kakuta finished the under-16 campaign making 12 appearances and converting five goals.
With the under-17 team
France national under-17 football team
The France national under-17 football team is the national under-17 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the annual UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship and the FIFA U-17 World Cup, which is held every four years...
, Kakuta was a regular selection of coach Francis Smerecki. He made debut with the team on 4 October 2007 in a 1–1 draw against Switzerland
Switzerland national under-17 football team
The Switzerland national under-17 football team is the national under-17 football team of Switzerland and is controlled by the Swiss Football Association. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship and in the FIFA U-17 World Cup...
. In qualification for the 2008 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship
2008 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship
The final tournament of the 2008 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship was the 26th UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship, UEFA's premier football tournament for players under the age of 17. The tournament was held in Turkey from 4 May to 16 May 2008...
, Kakuta scored a goal in the team's 6–0 thrashing of Albania
Albania national under-17 football team
The following players were in the latest squad for the UEFA European Under-17 Championship Qualifying Rounds-Goalkeepers:-Defenders:-Midfielders:-Strikers:-See also:Albania national football team...
in the first qualifying round. 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. 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. In the final, France were defeated 4–0 by Spain. With the under-18 team
France national under-18 football team
The France national under-18 football team is the national under-18 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team serves as a feeder team to the under-19 team as its matches aren't competitive...
, Kakuta only made 5 appearances, but scored three goals, which included a brace against the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
in the Tournio de Limoges
Limoges
Limoges |Limousin]] dialect of Occitan) is a city and commune, the capital of the Haute-Vienne department and the administrative capital of the Limousin région in west-central France....
and the lone goal in the team's 1–0 win over Turkey in a match that was played at the Stade Mayol
Stade Mayol
Stade Mayol is a multi-purpose stadium in Toulon, France. It is currently used mostly for rugby union matches and is the home stadium of RC Toulonnais. The stadium is able to hold 13,700 people....
.
Despite the FIFA investigation into his transfer, on 2 September 2009, Kakuta was selected to the under-19 squad
France national under-19 football team
The France national under-19 football team is the national under-19 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the annual UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship. They were the 2010 champions of the competition having won on home soil...
, for the first time, to participate in the 2009 edition of the Sendaï Cup, held in Japan. In the opening match against the hosts
Japan national football team
The Japan national football team represents Japan in association football and is operated by the Japan Football Association, the governing body for association football in Japan...
, he scored two goals. At the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
2010 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
-Group B:---------------------Bracket:-Semi-finals:-----Final:-Goalscorers:4 goals Daniel Pacheco3 goals Zvonko Pamić Cédric Bakambu Alexandre Lacazette...
, which France hosted, Kakuta scored the opening goal in the team's opening group stage match against the Netherlands
Netherlands national under-19 football team
The Netherlands national under-19 football team represents the Netherlands at this age level and is governed by the Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbalbond — KNVB...
. France won the match 4–1. Kakuta also scored against Croatia
Croatia national under-19 football team
-2012 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship :-2012 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship :-Latest squad:...
in the semi-finals. The goal drew the match at 1–1 and France went on to win 2–1. In the final, France came from behind against Spain
Spain national under-19 football team
The Spain national under-19 football team represents Spain in international football at this age level and is controlled by Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain.-UEFA European Under-19 Championship Record:...
to win the title 2–1 with Kakuta providing the assist for the winner scored by Alexandre Lacazette
Alexandre Lacazette
Alexandre Lacazette is a French football player who currently plays for French club Olympique Lyonnais in Ligue 1. He plays as a striker and is also capable of playing on the wings. Lacazette is a France youth international having earned caps with all of the youth teams beginning with the under-16...
. On 2 August 2010, Kakuta was awarded the Golden Player award for his performances at the tournament.
Due to France's victory at the UEFA Under-19 championship, the nation qualified for the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup
2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup
The 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup was the eighteenth edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup since its inception in 1977 as the FIFA World Youth Championship. Colombia hosted the tournament between 29 July and 20 August 2011, with matches being played in eight cities...
, which merited under-20 team
France national under-20 football team
The France national under-20 football team is the national under-20 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which is held every two years and the Toulon Tournament, which is held every May when football league...
appearances for Kakuta. He made his debut with the team on 7 October 2010 in a friendly match against Portugal
Portugal national under-20 football team
The Portugal national under-20 football team is the national under-20 football team of Portugal and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal....
, which ended 3–3. Kakuta, subsequently, appeared in three more matches with the team during the 2010–11 campaign and, on 10 June 2011, was named to the 21-man squad to participate in the U-20 World Cup. He made his debut in the competition on 30 July 2011 in the team's 4–1 defeat to the hosts Colombia
Colombia national under-20 football team
The Colombia national under-20 football team, is controlled by the Federación Colombiana de Fútbol and represents Colombia in international under-20 football competitions.-Current squad:The following players are participating in the 2011 U-20 FIFA World Cup....
.
Personal life
Kakuta lives in Cobham, SurreyCobham, Surrey
Cobham is a town in the Borough of Elmbridge in Surrey, England, about south-west of central London and north of Leatherhead. Elmbridge has been acclaimed by the Daily Mail as the best place to live in the UK, and Cobham is a prosperous part of the London commuter belt...
with his mother and older brother. Didier Drogba
Didier Drogba
Didier Yves Drogba Tébily is an Ivorian footballer who plays in the centre forward position. He currently plays for Chelsea in the Premier League, where he is deputy vice-captain, and is the captain and all-time top scorer of the Côte d'Ivoire national football team...
is understood to have made Kakuta his protégé when he first came to England.
Career statistics
| Club Performance | League | Cup | League Cup | Continental | Total | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Club | Season | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists |
| England | Premier League | FA Cup FA Cup The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's... |
League Cup1 | Europe | Total | |||||||||||
| Chelsea Chelsea F.C. Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four... |
2009–10 Chelsea F.C. season 2009–10 The 2009–10 season was Chelsea Football Clubs 95th competitive season, 18th consecutive season in the Premier League, 104th year in existence as a football club and the first season coached by Carlo Ancelotti... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010–11 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 2 | |
| Chelsea total | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 0 | 2 | |
| Fulham (loan) Fulham F.C. Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season... |
2010–11 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Fulham total | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 0 | |
| Bolton Wanderers (loan) Bolton Wanderers F.C. Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001.... |
2011–12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Bolton Wanderers total | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | |
| Career total | 16 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 28 | 2 | 2 | |
- 1Also includes other competitive competitions, including the FA Community ShieldFA Community ShieldThe Football Association Community Shield is English football's annual match contested between the champions of the previous Premier League season and the holders of the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium. If the Premier League champions also won the FA Cup then the league runners-up provide the opposition...
and Carling Cup.
International
FranceFrance national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
-
- UEFA European Under-19 Football ChampionshipUEFA European Under-19 Football ChampionshipThe European Under 19 Football Championship is an annual football competition organised by the sport's European governing body, UEFA. The competition has been held since 1948. It was originally called the FIFA junior tournament, until it was taken over by UEFA in 1955...
: 20102010 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship-Group B:---------------------Bracket:-Semi-finals:-----Final:-Goalscorers:4 goals Daniel Pacheco3 goals Zvonko Pamić Cédric Bakambu Alexandre Lacazette... - 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup2011 FIFA U-20 World CupThe 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup was the eighteenth edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup since its inception in 1977 as the FIFA World Youth Championship. Colombia hosted the tournament between 29 July and 20 August 2011, with matches being played in eight cities...
: Fourth Place
- UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
Individual
- UEFA European Under-19 Football ChampionshipUEFA European Under-19 Football ChampionshipThe European Under 19 Football Championship is an annual football competition organised by the sport's European governing body, UEFA. The competition has been held since 1948. It was originally called the FIFA junior tournament, until it was taken over by UEFA in 1955...
Golden Player: 20102010 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship-Group B:---------------------Bracket:-Semi-finals:-----Final:-Goalscorers:4 goals Daniel Pacheco3 goals Zvonko Pamić Cédric Bakambu Alexandre Lacazette...
External links
- Player profile Chelsea FC
- Gael Kakuta ESPN Soccernet
- Fulham player profile