Chelsea are through to a European final after a stress-free tie against Swedish club Djurgarden in the semi-finals.
The Blues recorded a 4-1 away win in last week’s first leg of the Conference League semi-final. On Thursday night, Chelsea beat Djurgarden again by a 1-0 scoreline at Stamford Bridge in the second leg to secure a comfortable aggregate victory.
It means that Enzo Maresca’s side will face Spanish club Real Betis in the final at the end of May.
It was a proud night for the Chelsea academy because a host of youngsters got on the pitch against Djurgarden.
At the age of 16, Reggie Walsh made his first start in senior football just a week after his first-team debut in the first leg. He caught the eye in an advanced midfield position as he played 90 minutes, too.
Joe Cole raved about Reggie Walsh after his display on his first start, claiming that he looked at ease on the football pitch.
Reece James surprised by how good Reggie Walsh actually is
Chelsea captain Reece James, who started the second leg, was full of admiration for Walsh after his performance in the Conference League.
He even said he “didn’t realise” the 16-year-old prospect was as good as he is.
When discussing Chelsea teammate Walsh after the Djurgarden fixture, James told TNT Sports 3 (8 May): “I’ve seen him in training but training and games is different but this is the first time I have seen him play. I didn’t realise how good he actually was.”
Yet again, Maresca perfectly used the Conference League competition to blood some of the talented Chelsea youngsters with first-team action.
Walsh certainly didn’t look out of place as he played the full game in a European semi-final. Hopefully, it gives him the confidence and drive to kick on and enjoy a successful career.
Chelsea supporters compared Reggie Walsh to Billy Gilmour after his performance because of his size and quality in possession of the football, but it’ll be interesting to see how much the teenager grows in the next few years.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall impressed by Reggie Walsh
Blues midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who scored the only goal in the 1-0 win against Djurgarden, offered his verdict on Walsh after the youngster’s display.
Dewsbury-Hall told TNT Sports 3 (8 May): “Reggie Walsh is 16 and he was fantastic, composed. My job is just to tell them to play the game that got them there. You saw that with the players that played, very composed, very calm. That’s a credit to the academy.”
We’re intrigued to see how long it’ll be before Walsh is welcomed into the first-team squad on a permanent basis.
The rising star has done himself no harm with his introduction into senior football, but supporters should remember to be patient with him.
