Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca boasts an array of star senior players in his large squad, but certain Cobham academy gems are still seriously impressing him.
In the last week, Ryan Kavuma-McQueen has made all the headlines as Chelsea’s next potential rising star after seriously impressing for England’s Under-17s.
The Young Lions starred in a 12-goal thriller, beating Germany 7-5, with Kavuma-McQueen scoring five and setting up another — making plenty of headlines in the process.
While a lot of noise surrounds 15-year-old Arsenal sensation Max Dowman right now – who recently become the second-youngest Premier League debutant in history behind teammate Ethan Nwaneri – there is reason to believe that Kavuma-McQueen could be the next star of England’s conveyor belt of budding starlets.
The 16-year-old is yet to be given a chance in the senior team by Maresca, but if he keeps up this imperious form at junior level, it may just be a matter of time.
|
Chelsea’s youngest ever debutants |
Age |
Date of appearance |
|---|---|---|
|
Ian Hamilton |
16 years, 138 days |
1967 vs Tottenham |
|
Kingsley Whiffen |
16 years, 157 days |
1967 vs Leicester City |
|
Reggie Walsh |
16 years, 193 days |
2025 vs Djurgarden |
|
Tommy Langley |
16 years, 274 days |
1974 vs Leicester City |
|
Michael Woods |
16 years, 275 days |
2007 vs Macclesfield |
Tyrique George is perhaps Chelsea’s biggest talent to watch out for right now, and the 19-year-old was on the verge of joining west London rivals Fulham before the £22 million move ultimately collapsed on summer deadline day.
However, Kavuma-McQueen is emerging as yet another gem produced by Chelsea’s famed Cobham academy set up.
That being said, the left-winger isn’t Chelsea’s only young prodigy who’s turning Maresca’s head right now.
Enzo Maresca watching Reggie Walsh at Chelsea
According to The Mail and journalist Kieran Gill, Kavuma-McQueen is one of three youngsters being closely monitored by Maresca, and of them is 16-year-old midfielder Reggie Walsh.
The Englishman became one of Chelsea’s youngest ever players to make their senior debut back in May, coming off the bench late on during their 4-1 win away to Djurgarden in the first leg of their Conference League semi-final.
Walsh is apparently on Maresca’s Chelsea radar for this season, as per Gill, and he could yet be given a path to more senior football with summer signing Dario Essugo now set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after thigh surgery.
The Blues have suddenly found themselves one man lighter in the engine room, with the prospect of more injuries there as Chelsea attempt to navigate the start of this season after a summer tournament and many games in 2024/2025.
Walsh should be given a chance to shine, as his “top quality” has even been noticed by senior stars like Nicolas Jackson.
“He’s a very good player, top quality,” said Jackson about Walsh right after his debut.
“For sure he is going to go far. I’m very happy for him to make his debut. I hope [there’s] more to come for him, and I am very happy for him.”
Maresca also publicly praised the wonderkid, calling him a perfect player for Chelsea’s system.
“I love Reggie because he’s that kind of player that, in my system, in the way I want to play, it’s perfect,” Maresca said in May.
“You struggle to find players so young. He’s 16. One. Six. And you see how he was asking for the ball, how good he is on the ball.”
