GENERATIONAL talents are becoming the norm at Stamford Bridge.
In the past few years, thanks to Frank Lampard, Thomas Tuchel and now Graham Potter, Chelsea’s youth talents are thriving in the first team.
Mason Mount wowed all and is the back-to-back Chelsea player of the season, while Reece James seems to be winning the bumper race to be Gareth Southgate’s first-choice right-back.
And now, there’s another name you can add to the list of youngsters hoping to get their chance under Potter.
England’s Charlie Webster, 18, is a rising star and has already been tracked by Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund.
He’s been called the ‘next Jadon Sancho’, and with the Bundesliga giants losing the Three Lions winger last summer they might just make a beeline for Charlie.
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MAKING AN IMPRESSION
At just 15, Webster had Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne wowed by his ability.
The setting was the prestigious KDB Cup – an international U15 tournament named after the Belgium ace – with the midfielder as the guest of honour.
Players from clubs including Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and PSG were on show – all desperate to impress.
It was Chelsea that ended up being victorious – beating Racing Genk on penalties after an exciting 2-2 draw.
Star of the show was Webster, and his performances didn’t go unnoticed.
He was awarded player of the tournament – winning a golden ball, as well as a signed De Bruyne shirt.
One feels it could be the first of many awards headed Webster’s way in the future.
A CULTURED MIDFIELDER
In similar vein to Billy Gilmour, who joined Brighton in the summer, Webster is a cultured midfielder – good on the ball and smart in possession.
However, unlike the Scot who prefers to dictate play from deep – Webster likes to get in the box and score goals.
He started playing football at the Pezzaz Street Soccer academy, which have bases in Wiltshire and Hampshire, before joining Chelsea in 2016 at the age of 12.
Coaches there believe he has a bright future in the game, and in the past Webster has spoken about his football dream.
“Obviously, it’s to play for this brilliant club,” he told a reporter at the KDB Cup after starring for the Blues.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
Webster’s qualities have seen him earmarked as a leader.
In 2019, he captained England’s U16 team in a match against Republic of Ireland – scoring his first international goal.
He’s also played for the Three Lions’ U17s – coming off the bench in a 4-1 rout over the USA in 2020.
And that was the same month Webster made his U18 Premier League debut for Chelsea against Southampton, followed by his U23 debut last April.
Then in January 2021, Charlie signed his first professional contract with the club on his 17th birthday. Given his progress, you can imagine it’ll be the first of many.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
