Enzo Maresca has handed Reggie Walsh his first start for Chelsea. The 16-year-old midfielder made his senior debut for the Blues against Djurgårdens last week, coming off the bench in the second leg of the UEFA Conference League semi-final.
Walsh, who has regularly trained with the first-team at Cobham this year, helped Chelsea beat the Swedish outfit 4-1, becoming the third youngest player to represent the club in almost 60 years.
After making a great first impression, the teenager has been given the chance to stake a place in the starting lineup for good. He was an unused substitute at Stamford Bridge in March when the west Londoners defeated FC Copenhagen in the first leg of the last 16.
Walsh was also in the matchday squad when Legia Warszawa beat Chelsea 2-1 in the second leg of the quarterfinals last month. So, with that being said, football.london has rounded up everything you need to know about Walsh.
Who is Reggie Walsh?
Walsh is a technically gifted midfielder, who has often been used in the No.10 position for the club's academy. He has only played once for the Development Squad in the Premier League 2.
That came back in February when the young Blues beat Manchester United 2-0, where he made a 19-minute cameo. The Chelsea midfielder also represented England at Under-17s level, playing twice for the young Lions in the qualifying phase for the European Championship back in October.
Walsh has been used predominantly for Chelsea Under-18s this term and his performances have had senior officials at the club starting to take note. He is the latest of several youngsters from Chelsea's academy to have been named in the squad for the Conference League this season.
Enzo Maresca has used the likes of Tyrique George, Josh Acheampong, Shim Mheuka, Sam Rak-Sakyi, Kiano Dyer, Ato Ampah already this term in Europe, while Richard Olise, Harrison Murray-Campbell, Kaiden Wilson, Harrison McMahon, as well as Antwi and Walsh are also in the provisional squad.
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