Chelsea youngster Reggie Watson made his first team debut during the 6-3 EFL Cup third round victory over Leeds United, becoming the fourth youngest to ever feature for the Blues.<\/strong><\/p>\n Xabi Alonso<\/a> made nine changes from the defeat to Arsenal, and amongst the changes 16-year-old Watson<\/a> was brought into the starting side.<\/p>\n The Blues are struggling for options in the middle of the park, with Moises Caicedo injured<\/a> and Romeo Lavia\u2019s minutes continuing to be managed.<\/p>\n It became clear in pre-season that Watson had made an impression on Xabi Alonso<\/a>, and this led to a Chelsea debut which he will remember for the rest of his life.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s take a look at where he ranks amongst the youngest players ever to start for the club\u2026<\/p>\n Watson is less than a month older than how old Reggie Walsh<\/a> was when he was handed a start by Enzo Maresca for the 5-1 Champions League win over Ajax last season.<\/p>\n 10th-youngest debutant Ethan Ampadu was actually on the opposition side last night, and played a key role in Leeds\u2019 second goal.<\/p>\n With the Blues waiting for the likes of Caicedo and Jordan Henderson<\/a> to return, Watson has proven he can fill in as an option in the middle of the park if required.<\/p>\n Alonso may well consider using the teenager at the weekend when Chelsea host Hull City, which would see him make his Premier League debut.<\/p>\n![\"Chelsea](\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-2294380199-1024x731.jpg\")
<\/div>Chelsea\u2019s youngest ever players as Reggie Watson makes his debut<\/h2>\n
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\n Rank<\/td>\n Player<\/td>\n Date of Birth<\/td>\n Age on Debut<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 1<\/td>\n Ian Hamilton
Central Midfield<\/td>\n18\/03\/1967<\/td>\n 16 years 04 months 15 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 2<\/td>\n Kingsley Whiffen
Goalkeeper<\/td>\n09\/05\/1967<\/td>\n 16 years 05 months 06 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 3<\/td>\n Reggie Walsh
Attacking Midfield<\/td>\n01\/05\/2025<\/td>\n 16 years 06 months 11 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 4<\/td>\n Reggie Watson
Central Midfield<\/td>\n09\/09\/2026<\/td>\n 16 years 07 months 14 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 5<\/td>\n Tommy Langley
Centre-Forward<\/td>\n09\/11\/1974<\/td>\n 16 years 09 months 01 day<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 6<\/td>\n Michael Woods
Central Midfield<\/td>\n06\/01\/2007<\/td>\n 16 years 09 months 00 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 7<\/td>\n John Sparrow
Left-back<\/td>\n13\/03\/1974<\/td>\n 16 years 09 months 10 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 8<\/td>\n Mike Harrison
Left Wing<\/td>\n13\/04\/1957<\/td>\n 16 years 11 months 26 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 9<\/td>\n Ian Pearce
Centre-Back<\/td>\n11\/05\/1991<\/td>\n 17 years 04 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 10<\/td>\n Ethan Ampadu
Defensive Midfield<\/td>\n20\/09\/2017<\/td>\n 17 years 06 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n