Chelsea to sell "dangerous" young midfielder described as the next Conor Gallagher this summer
- Barnaby Lane
- 10 hours ago
- 2 min read
Chelsea are expected to part ways with promising midfielder Leo Castledine this summer, according to a new report.
The 19-year-old, who spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Shrewsbury Town, made 26 appearances across all competitions for the League One side.
His performances have drawn attention from clubs in both the Championship and League One, with several sides reportedly preparing bids.
Castledine is considered a talented prospect, and remains highly regarded within the Chelsea academy. However, The Athletic reports that the club is willing to listen to offers and are expected to include a sell-on clause in any permanent deal.
While Chelsea have not ruled out another loan, a full transfer now appears the most likely outcome, with the player himself said to be keen on securing regular senior football elsewhere to accelerate his development.
Castledine made his senior debut for Chelsea in January 2024 and has represented England at youth international level.
After his debut, former Chelsea captain John Terry praised the midfielder on social media, calling him “a magnet in the box” and predicting that fans would quickly warm to him.
Meanwhile, Chelsea academy coach Mark Robinson once compared Castledine to former Blues midfielder Conor Gallagher.
"He can be very dangerous when he arrives in the box, is really good in the air, and we have to make sure we keep working on that as well," Robinson said. "He is definitely going to be a goal-scoring midfielder."
The potential sale adds to a growing list of academy graduates to leave Chelsea in recent years. Players such as Mason Mount, Marc Guéhi, Lewis Hall, Tammy Abraham, and Gallagher have all moved on to other Premier League or European clubs — many going on to play significant roles elsewhere.
Chelsea’s approach under their current ownership has placed a strong emphasis on investing in global youth prospects, with heavy spending on international talents like Kendry Páez, Estêvão Willian, and Dário Essugo.
It's a strategy, however, that has often come at the cost of homegrown stars who struggle to find first-team minutes at Stamford Bridge.
Castledine’s likely exit marks another chapter in that trend — a player with promise, now looking to make his mark away from the club that developed him.