Teenager Mason Burstow may be interesting Chelsea – but he isn’t yet the solution to Maidstone’s goalscoring problems.

Burstow, 16, has scored five goals in eight starts for United’s development squad and was due back at Cobham this week for a second trial with the Blues.

But Stones fans wondering why he isn’t getting a look-in with the first team, despite being on the radar of a Premier League club, need to be realistic.

Simon Austin, joint-manager of the development squad, said: “Chelsea’s scouting system has picked up a young lad with huge potential.

“They like what they’ve seen and offered him a trial and we’ve got to support him in that.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity. What I would say is let’s be realistic.

“He’s not going to Chelsea’s first team for a trial, he’s going through their youth system and there’s a big difference between playing National South football and youth academy football.

“The first team are aware of him and how can we stop him going to Chelsea for a trial?

“I am aware there are some noises being made that if Chelsea are interested and think he’s good enough, why is he not playing in our first team and solving the goalscoring problem?

“My answer is there’s a big difference playing in the men’s first team at National South level and going through a youth system, which is what he’s trialing for.”

Burstow certainly has something about him, though, with Austin and fellow boss Kane Rice rating him highly.

Like a number of development squad youngsters, they feel he’s capable of being around John Still and Hakan Hayrettin’s first-team squad, but playing regularly is a big ask.

Austin said: “He’s very mature for his age and, having played up front myself, some of his movement and touches are things you probably can’t teach someone of 16.

“Gym work over the next year or two will help with the physical side of competing in men’s football but he’s a good size, he’s good in the air, he’s quick, he can play a number of positions, he’s got a bit of class about him and he’s a nice lad, too.

“We personally believe there are a number of players who are ready to be involved with the first team.

“That’s different to saying they’re ready to start week in, week out but I absolutely believe there are a number who are ready to be involved.

“John and Hakan have a very different job to us.

“They’re under a different level of pressure to us, and so they need to think about right here, right now.

“Would I commit to any players being ready to start for the first team week in, week out?

“No, but 100% there are a number of players who are ready to be involved.

“That’s very different to solving goalscoring problems or defensive problems.”

Maidstone visit fourth-placed Weymouth this Saturday, looking to end a run of three defeats which has seen them fall seven points adrift of the play-off places in 10th spot.

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