Enzo Maresca favourite on the verge of Chelsea loan transfer

Updated: 2 Aug 2026 14:01 BST | 4 min read

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

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Chelsea midfielder Reggie Walsh is reportedly close to completing a loan move to League One side Wigan Athletic for the 2026-27 season.

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The 17-year-old is regarded as one of Chelsea’s most promising academy products and he has already racked up four first-team appearances for the Blues after breaking into the senior set-up under previous boss Enzo Maresca.

Walsh made his debut for Chelsea during their Europa Conference League semi-final first-leg clash versus Djurgardens in May 2025 - becoming the club’s third-youngest player in history in the process - and he was subsequently named in the starting XI for the second-leg.

The England U19 international then made his Champions League debut against Ajax in October last year, as a second-half replacement for Romeo Lavia, just one month after receiving significant praise from Maresca.

“I like all the academy guys but Reggie is the one I like more than the rest,” the former Chelsea head coach told reporters in September 2025.

“I like Reggie because he is doing things that I'm demanding to the other players, but he is doing those things without me asking him to do that. I don't need to ask him to do something. What he's doing is already what I want from that player.”

Walsh caught the eye for Chelsea’s youth teams last campaign and he was one of seven academy stars to be selected for the club’s pre-season tour of Australia this summer by new manager Xabi Alonso.

The 17-year-old, who signed his first professional contract at Stamford Bridge last year, is now set to join Wigan on a season-long loan deal, according to transfer reporter Alan Nixon.

Chelsea captain Reece James enjoyed a hugely successful loan spell with the Latics before his senior breakthrough at Stamford Bridge and Walsh is close to following in his compatriot’s footsteps, despite significant competition from several other English Football League clubs.

Ryan Kavuma McQueen transfer negotiations confirmed

Meanwhile, fellow Chelsea academy starlet Ryan Kavuma-McQueen may also be set for a temporary exit this summer, with the Blues currently locked in talks with Portsmouth over a season-long loan deal.

That is according to The Chelsea Spot, who posted on X: “We understand Portsmouth are in advanced talks with Chelsea over a loan move for Ryan Kavuma-McQueen.

“Chelsea have been exploring potential moves for the 17-year-old forward over the last few weeks with Championship and League One clubs interested.”

Kavuma-McQueen scored 13 goals in 26 games for Chelsea’s youth teams last season, while he made his senior debut during the club’s 7-0 win over Port Vale in the FA Cup.