Reggie Walsh Becomes Chelsea’s Youngest Champions League Player
Chelsea’s emphatic 5-1 victory over Ajax at Stamford Bridge was memorable not only for the scoreline but for the history it created. Seventeen-year-old Reggie Walsh marked his debut by becoming Chelsea’s youngest ever player in the UEFA Champions League. The teenager’s late introduction from the bench capped a night when Enzo Maresca’s side showcased the depth of the club’s youthful talent on Europe’s biggest stage.
Teenagers Shine as Chelsea Set Multiple Records
Goals from Marc Guiu, Estêvão Willian and Tyrique George — all teenagers — saw Chelsea become the first team in Champions League history to have three different teenagers score in the same match. With an average age of just over 22 years, the starting lineup was one of the youngest ever fielded by an English side in the competition. The result continued the Blues’ strong start under Maresca and reinforced the manager’s trust in his academy graduates.
Maresca Praises “Special Night” for the Club
Speaking after the match, Enzo Maresca hailed the performance as “a special night for the club and for the young players.” He praised the composure and quality shown by his side, highlighting the club’s long-term commitment to developing talent from within. “These moments are the reward for years of work in the academy,” Maresca said. With Walsh’s debut and a series of record-breaking milestones, Chelsea’s triumph over Ajax will be remembered as a defining moment in the club’s new era of youth-driven ambition.
