Benjamin Njongoue Elliott (born 5 November 2002) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for EFL League One club Reading. Born in England, he represents Cameroon at international level.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Benjamin Njongoue Elliott[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 5 November 2002 | ||
| Place of birth | Kingston upon Thames, England[2] | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Reading | ||
| Number | 4 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2011–2023 | Chelsea | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2023– | Reading | 32 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2016–2017 | England U15 | 3 | (0) |
| 2018 | England U16 | 1 | (0) |
| 2023– | Cameroon | 5 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 6 April 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 5 February 2024 | |||
Club career edit
Chelsea edit
Born in Kingston upon Thames, Elliott joined the academy of Chelsea at the age of eight.[2][3] He suffered a serious knee injury at the age of fifteen, keeping him out for two years.[3] Following his return to action, he signed his first professional contract in November 2019.[2] He was linked with a move away from The Blues in November 2021, with fellow Premier League side Southampton being strongly linked.[4]
He was included in Chelsea's under-23 side for 2022–23 pre-season, scoring a goal against American side Real Monarchs in a 2–2 friendly game.[5] Later in the same season, he travelled with the senior squad to Abu Dhabi for a warm weather training camp during the Premier League's mid-season break for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Reading edit
On 15 August 2023, Elliott joined EFL League One club Reading on a three-year contract.[6]
International career edit
Elliott was born in England to a Cameroonian father and English mother, and is eligible to represent both England and Cameroon at international level.[7][1] He had represented England at under-15 and under-16 level, captaining the under-15 side.[2][8]
In March 2023, Elliott was called up to the Cameroon senior squad for the first time but did not have play time due to FIFA administration formalities that needed to be fulfilled so nationality could be changed.[8][9]
On 10 June 2023, Elliott made his senior Cameroon debut in a friendly match against Mexico coming on as substitute for Bryan Mbeumo at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.[10]
Career statistics edit
Club edit
- As of match played 6 April 2024[11]
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Chelsea U21 | 2021–22 | — | — | — | — | 2[a] | 0 | 2 | 0 | |||||
| 2022–23 | — | — | — | — | 4[a] | 1 | 4 | 1 | ||||||
| Total | — | — | — | — | 6 | 1 | 6 | 1 | ||||||
| Reading | 2023–24 | League One | 32 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 2[a] | 1 | 37 | 1 | |
| Career total | 32 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 43 | 2 | ||
- ^ a b c Appearances in EFL Trophy
International edit
- As of match played 9 January 2024 [12]
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cameroon | 2023 | 4 | 0 |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 5 | 0 | |
References edit
- ^ a b Ben Elliott at WorldFootball.net
- ^ a b c d "Ben Elliot". chelseafc.com. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
- ^ a b Vegas, Paul (6 December 2022). "Chelsea hoping for big things from fit-again youngster Ben Elliott". tribalfootball.com. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
- ^ House, Alfie (9 November 2021). "Southampton reportedly targeting Chelsea's Ben Elliot". dailyecho.co.uk. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
- ^ Pasztor, David (20 July 2022). "WATCH: Ben Elliott scores wonderful solo goal for Chelsea U21 against Real Monarchs". msn.com. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
- ^ FC, Reading (2023-08-15). "Ben Elliott signs on a permanent deal from Chelsea". Reading FC. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
- ^ "Football - Cameroon: Ben Elliot Njongoue looks back on his first selection".
- ^ a b "Chelsea development player named in Cameroon squad". reuters.com. 3 March 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
- ^ Yomba, Steve Wilfried (3 March 2023). "Lions indomptables: Qui est Ben Elliott Njongoue?" [Indomitable Lions: Who is Ben Elliott Njongoue?]. camerfoot-infos.com (in French). Retrieved 3 March 2023.
- ^ "Mexico vs. Cameroon - Football Match Summary - June 10, 2023 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2023-06-11.
- ^ Ben Elliott at Soccerway
- ^ Ben Elliott at National-Football-Teams.com