Chelsea youngster Leo Castledine has opened up on his first ever loan spell away from Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have plenty of players out on loan during the 2024/25 campaign, including several young prospects developed in the Blues academy.
Leo Castledine, 19, has come from the youth system at Cobham in recent years. He made his senior debut back in January as a Chelsea substitute in their Carabao Cup tie versus Middlesbrough, too.
However, the teenage attacking midfielder made the proper leap into first-team football this season by joining League One club Shrewsbury Town on loan.
Leo Castledine of Shrewsbury Town reacts at full time during the Sky Bet League One match between Shrewsbury Town FC and Barnsley FC at Montgomery ...
Photo by James Baylis – AMA/Getty Images
Leo Castledine discusses his loan spell
Chelsea-owned talent Castledine has admitted he’s been pretty pleased with how his season-long loan is going at Shrewsbury. Unfortunately, his side does sit second bottom of League One as they face a real relegation battle.
Speaking to football.london, Castledine said: “I think it’s been really positive, not for me personally but even as a team. We struggled at the start of the season, it was tough the first couple of games and it didn’t go as planned, but I have always thought there was a foundation in the team. And with the right leadership and mentality going forward I can’t see any problems.”
“I think I have done alright. With it being my first loan my main focus was to come here and do as well as I can, show who I am as a player as a personality, stay in the team as much as I can and help the team as much as I can as well.”
John Terry previously praised Chelsea youngster Castledine by claiming he’s someone that Blues supporters will love.
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Hopefully, this experience at Shrewsbury will push him closer to the Chelsea first team and be a great part of his development.
In 16 appearances this season, Castledine has scored a couple of goals. The central attacking midfielder has become a regular starter in a struggling Shrewsbury team.
Which Chelsea loanee can break into Enzo Maresca’s squad next season?
If there’s one Chelsea loanee making the greatest case for themselves to play at Stamford Bridge next season, it’s definitely Andrey Santos.
At the age of 20, he has been instrumental so far this season during his loan with French top-flight club Strasbourg. Santos has even captained Strasbourg this campaign, which goes to show his major influence.
The box-to-box midfielder may have a tough job breaking into the Chelsea squad due to the competition for places, but he’s the loanee that looks the most equipped to do so right now.
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