Against Djurgarden on Thursday, Reggie Walsh became the third youngest player to represent Chelsea’s senior team, and our youngest in almost 60 years. Here we look at the other 16-year-olds who have played for Chelsea.
Walsh came on for the final few minutes in Stockholm, and nearly marked the occasion with a goal with his first touch. His fierce long-range strike drew a decent save from the home goalkeeper.
Walsh is the eighth Academy youngster handed a debut by Enzo Maresca this season, and in our long history, became the seventh 16-year-old to have played for Chelsea. This is the full list…
Ian Hamilton – 16 years 138 days
Ian 'Chico' Hamilton remains our youngest ever player. While still a junior, he was handed his senior debut in a league game against Tottenham at White Hart Lane in March 1967, and headed the Chelsea goal in a 1-1 draw. It was the first of five appearances Hamilton made for the Blues.
Kingsley Whiffen – 16 years 157 days
Welsh goalkeeper Kingsley Whiffen was brought into the Chelsea side for our final league fixture of the 1966/67 as manager Tommy Docherty opted to rest Peter Bonetti ahead of the impending FA Cup final. It would prove his only Chelsea game.
Reggie Walsh - 16 years 193 days
Academy midfielder Reggie Walsh has been a regular in our UEFA Conference League squads this season and was brought off the bench for the first time in the 88th minute of the win away to Djurgarden.
Tommy Langley - 16 years 274 days
Boyhood Blues fan Tommy Langley is the player with the most Chelsea appearances on this list. He made his debut in November 1974 and in total played 152 times for us over the course of six seasons, scoring 43 goals.
Michael Woods – 16 years 275 days
Michael Woods made his Chelsea debut as a substitute in a big FA Cup win over Macclesfield in January 2007. The midfielder featured once more for us in that competition and eventually left the club in 2011. He has most recently been at Whitby Town.
John Sparrow – 16 years 283 days
John Sparrow broke through during the 1973/74 season and played for us in six different campaigns. He scored twice in 74 appearances in blue before joining Exeter City in January 1981.
Michael Harrison – 16 years 360 days
Michael Harrison debuted for Chelsea against Blackpool in April 1957, shortly before turning 17. The left winger went on to play 64 times for us between then and September 1962 before joining Blackburn Rovers.