Chelsea teenager Leo Castledine has been dubbed a “reincarnation” of Jack Grealish after catching the eye in the UEFA Youth League.
Castledine, 17, played the full 90 minutes and got his name on the scoresheet as the Blues’ U19 side drew 1-1 with AC Milan in the Youth League on Wednesday afternoon. The former AFC Wimbledon youngster caught the eye at the club’s Cobham training ground, and not just because of his impressive performance.
More than a few eagle-eyed football fans noticed similarities between Castledine and Manchester City star Jack Grealish. One wrote: “No10 at Chelsea has stolen Jack Grealish whole.”
READ MORE: Seven biggest ever football transfer U-turns after Liz Truss ditches 45p tax cut
Someone else said: “Chelsea u19 number 10 shirt really resembles Jack Grealish brutal.” A third person added: “This Chelsea #10 yute is a spitting image of Grealish bruv.” While another user commented: “Hairstyle, socks, style of play. He’s Grealish’s reincarnation bro.”
Can Chelsea win the Champions League this season? Let us know in the comments section below.
(Image: Manchester City FC via Getty Images)
It isn’t just Castledine’s Grealish-like floppy hair that prompted comparisons with the England international. The teenager also has the same low-centre of gravity as the City star, while he also wears his socks low like the 27-year-old.
Castledine will be hoping he can make a similar breakthrough to Grealish, who cost Manchester City a colossal £100million from Aston Villa at the start of last season.
For now, though, he is impressing for the Blues at youth level, scoring the goal against AC Milan that helped Chelsea to a second game unbeaten in Group E.
It was his third goal of the competition, having bagged a double in a 4-2 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb on matchday one. Castledine has also been catching the eye in the U18 Premier League, where he has four goals and one assist in four matches so far this term.
(Image: Chelsea)
The midfielder has represented England at Under-15s, Under-16s and Under-17s level, and is described on Chelsea’s website as a player who likes to “create and score goals,” while being “very tenacious in the tackle.”
READ NEXT: