Chelsea are currently struggling and they are in search of a perfect partner in midfield for their new signing Enzo Fernandez. Leo Castledine can have the perfect opportunity.
N’golo Kante has been out due to injury but may return to the first team this month. However, the Frenchman may not be the player he once was at Stanford Bridge, so Potter needs to find an ideal replacement for the veteran.
Chelsea can hand out Leo Castledine his first senior team start. The teenager has already impressed everyone on the academy side and will soon make an impact on the first team.
WHO IS LEO CASTLEDINE?
Castledine joined Chelsea in March 2020 from AFC Wimbledon, where is dad was a midfielder for nine years and the club certainly nurtures young talents. The teenager has played in every position for Chelsea academy sides and scored sixteen goals and six assists in 45 appearances so far.
As per Athletic, Chelsea’s under-21 coach Mark Robinson has praised Castledine and his versatility and attitude. Robinson further stated:-
“Physically he is strong. He was standing out in his own age group so we just took him to give him a taste of the under-18 level early. As well as being a very good footballer, he has a tremendous attitude and he works very hard on his game too.”
When asked about his best position, he replied:-
“We believe it is in midfield as a No 8, but he is also very versatile as well. He has played right-sided centre-back for the under-21s, he’s played wide for the under-18s. But wherever you put him, he gives absolutely everything.”
Castledine can play behind Fernandez as the teenager can be the instigator of attacks from deep, using his strong physicality to bully opponents. This quality may well see him drag defense closer to him, subsequently opening up spaces for the Argentine.
Castledine’s versatility can make his future bright at Chelsea and cement his spot in the middle of the park in the future. Alongside Fernandez, the pairing can very lethal. They can form a formidable partnership in the future at Chelsea as it looks like a match made in heaven.
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