CHELSEA prodigy Leo Castledine has been named in the senior squad for Tuesday’s crunch Carabao Cup semi-final second leg and could make his debut.
The playmaker, 18, will be part of the Blues’ side vying to overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit following their shock loss at Middlesbrough
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Castledine has been an unused substitute in a cluster of matches so far this season.
But what many fans don’t know about the attacking midfielder – who compared himself to Mason Mount and Jack Grealish back in 2020 – is his star-studded family and footballing roots playing in DEFENCE.
Speaking to BBC Sport at the age of just 14, he said: “Moving from defence to midfield was a very gradual process for me. It took about two seasons.
“I was a tough-tackling centre-back at the start of my U13 season and now, towards the end of U15 season, I am a centre midfielder and sometimes play as a number 10.”
A young Castledine went on to name Mount as one of his favourite players, before he claimed to “dribble and create chances” like Grealish.
And a report from The Athletic last year also revealed Chelsea legend John Terry commented on “what a great trainer Castledine is” and “how he treats each session like a cup final”.
He has played 35 times for the Blues’ U21 side since joining from Wimbledon in 2020, scoring eight goals and providing seven assists.
He has also played for every England age group side up to the U19s – where he has featured three times since his debut in November.
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Meanwhile, more intrigue around the young star involves his well-known family – which includes an actor, presenter and ex-footballer.
Leo’s dad is Stewart Castledine, 50, who spent nine years playing for Wimbledon.
He made 26 appearances in the Premier League – scoring four goals – and also played for Wycombe.
Meanwhile, his mum is 53-year-old Lucy Alexander – a presenter who used to host Homes Under The Hammer.
And his sister, Kitty, 21, made her EastEnders debut on New Year’s Day as Penny Branning – daughter of Jack Branning and cousin of Lauren Branning.
Kitty was paralysed at the age of seven, but has not let that stop her from becoming a star on one of Britain’s biggest TV shows.
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