Even though John Terry was bursting with excitement that Chelsea youngster Reggie Walsh played against Ajax, he was disappointed that another talent from the academy didn’t get on the pitch.
On Wednesday night, Chelsea’s first team secured an epic 5-1 Champions League win at home to Ajax.
It was a memorable evening for Blues midfielder Reggie Walsh, making his first-ever appearance in the Champions League. The 17-year-old academy graduate has now made four senior appearances under Enzo Maresca’s management.
Walsh, who made his first-team debut in May, looks mature beyond his years as a ball-playing central midfielder. Hopefully, he becomes the latest success story out of Cobham.
Reggie Walsh given instructions by Enzo Maresca before coming on for Chelsea against Ajax in the Champions League.
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
John Terry over the moon for Reggie Walsh, disappointed for Ryan Kavuma-McQueen
John Terry, the Chelsea icon, shared his delight about Walsh’s introduction as a second-half substitute against Ajax, coming on in the 66th minute.
His only negative point from the European success was that Ryan Kavuma-McQueen didn’t get on the pitch. Instead, the 16-year-old winger was an unused substitute against Ajax as his wait goes on for a first-team debut.
On Thursday, Terry said via TikTok: “Delighted for Reggie Walsh, one of our homegrown players, coming on and making his Champions League debut last night. Incredible, what a talent. We’ve got so many more players in the academy ready to come through as well, and it’s great the manager’s showing faith in the boys. Little bit disappointed for Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, didn’t get on last night.”
It is exciting for the Blues academy that Walsh is beginning to get more first-team minutes. Even so, he’s got a huge task when you consider he’s got midfielders such as Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia, and Andrey Santos to compete with.
The teenager will be with England’s squad at the U17 World Cup next month, where it’s a great chance to enhance his reputation even further.
Reggie Walsh dribbling with the ball during Chelsea against Ajax in the Champions League.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Who is Ryan Kavuma-McQueen?
Unlike Walsh, Kavuma-McQueen hasn’t made his senior debut yet because he’s in the infancy of his career.
The exciting winger has broken into Chelsea’s Under-21 side this season, where he’s playing with a lot of individuals older than him.
Kavuma-McQueen, who idolises Marcus Rashford, is definitely someone to keep an eye on because he’s trained with the first-team group. Even though he didn’t play against Ajax, it feels like a considerable step that he was on the matchday squad on the bench.
The encouraging thing is Maresca has proven he will promote academy talents if he thinks they’re ready.