Chelsea midfielder Reggie Walsh has made his first two senior appearances on loan at Wigan Athletic in League One. The 17-year-old went straight into the starting lineup for the Latics.
Walsh started in central midfield for Wigan's League One match against Leyton Orient. He nearly marked his debut with a spectacular goal, hitting a powerful 15-yard volley that was ruled out for offside by the linesman's flag. Wigan went on to lose that game 2-0. The young midfielder retained his place for the following fixture, playing the full 90 minutes in a narrow 1-0 away defeat to AFC Wimbledon. You can see where Walsh fits into the squad on our squad page.
How did Reggie Walsh perform on his debut?
Reggie Walsh's first senior start came against Leyton Orient on August 20. He was deployed in the centre of the park and immediately showed his quality. His best moment was a technically excellent volley that flew towards goal from the edge of the area, only for the effort to be chalked off. Despite the team's loss, his performance was strong enough to earn another start just days later.
In the match at Wimbledon's Plough Lane, Walsh again completed the full match. The Dons secured a 1-0 victory, with Wimbledon's own Chelsea loanee, Ollie Harrison, coming off the bench to help set up the late winner. Walsh's early involvement is a positive sign for his development during this season-long loan spell.
What other Chelsea loanees are playing in the EFL?
Several other young Chelsea players are gaining experience in the Football League this season. Ryan Kavuma-McQueen scored on his full debut for Portsmouth in a 3-1 win at Lincoln City. Ishe Samuels-Smith has made two substitute appearances for Notts County, helping them secure a draw at Luton Town and a win over Burton Albion.
Kaiden Wilson has featured in every game for Rochdale since his loan move, including starts against Colchester United and Crawley Town. Dujuan Richards is set to continue his development with AFC Wimbledon, while Kiano Dyer has joined Chesterfield. The full list of Chelsea's loaned players is extensive, with moves finalized even after August.
Where does Wigan Athletic stand in League One?
Following the two defeats in which Walsh featured, Wigan Athletic will be looking to climb the table. Their next opportunity comes on September 10th at home against Barnsley. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming matches on our standings and fixtures pages.
The club has a busy schedule ahead, with a midweek EFL Trophy group stage match against Port Vale on September 13th. Securing points in these games will be important for building momentum in the early part of the campaign.
What is next for Reggie Walsh at Wigan?
The immediate focus for Reggie Walsh is to establish himself as a regular starter in Shaun Maloney's side. His initial performances suggest he has the ability to compete at League One level. The primary aim of the loan is for him to gain consistent senior minutes, which he has achieved from the outset.
His contract with Chelsea runs until 2028, so this season at the DW Stadium is a key step in his pathway. Wigan Athletic's next match is at home to Barnsley on September 10th, where Walsh will hope to help his loan club secure a first win since his arrival.
