Chelsea sanctioned a maiden EFL loan fo young midfielder Leo Castledine last summer, with League One side Shrewsbury Town swooping for a deal.
The 19-year-old held a regular starting role with the League One strugglers. He was used in attacking midfield, out on the left-wing and in a deeper central midfield role across his 26 appearances, chipping in with two goals along the way.
chelsea, Championship clubs keen as Chelsea midfielder eyes permanent exit
Image courtesy of: LEE SMITH/REUTERS.
Injury curtained his season at the end of January and the teenager now heads back to his parent club. However, it might be that Castledine is back in the Football League next season, and for good.
Mirror Football reports that the former AFC Wimbledon academy talent is keen to play first-team football and has eyes on a permanent move away from Chelsea.
The UEFA Conference League winners are prepared to sanction such a move for Castledine, and he is not without early interest. It is said that clubs in the Championship are keen on a potential permanent deal for the youngster as he looks to kick on after his first year of senior football.
Castledine is under contract until 2027 at Chelsea, so a fee will likely be required to sign him.
A smart Championship signing?
Castledine might not have posted particularly eye-catching numbers this season, but few did in a Shrewsbury Town side that looked destined for relegation from a very early stage.
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However, his youth career at Chelsea has been highly impressive and there were flashes of why he has been held in high regard over the course of this season.
chelsea, Championship clubs keen as Chelsea midfielder eyes permanent exit
Image courtesy of: ISABEL INFANTES/REUTERS.
In search of regular minutes, Castledine will certainly benefit from moving on from Stamford Bridge. A starting berth may not await at Championship level right off the bat, but the versatile youngster can develop into a really valuable asset for a second tier side and could easily forge his way back to a top flight level over the coming years.
Chelsea starlets in the EFL
Chelsea have seen a whole host of players come through their academy ranks before moving down in the EFL permanently. Alongside Castledine, there were a whole host who gained experience in the Football League this season too.
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In the Championship, Alfie Gilchrist and Caleb Wiley found action with Sheffield United and Watford respectively. Alex Matos and Zak Sturge spent spells with Oxford United and Millwall too.
Ted Sharman-Lowe was a hit with League Two winners Doncaster Rovers while Jimmy-Jay Morgan spent the second half of the campaign at Gillingham.