Chelsea star, 16, back in school to focus on GCSEs just hours after making debut

Reggie Walsh became newest debutant at the age of 16 in their semi-final win over Djurgarden. And just hours after flying back from Sweden, the teenager was back in school to prepare for his exams.

Walsh replaced Tyrique George in the 88th minute and became the club's third-youngest ever player, behind Ian Hamilton and Kingsley Whiffen. They both made their debuts in 1967, while Walsh also became the youngest player to feature in Europe for Chelsea, a record previously held by .

Blues boss gave 16-year-old Walsh a warm embrace on the sidelines before he was brought on, though he cautioned the starlet that his focus should still be on his studies.

The claim that Walsh was back in school on Friday at 12pm, having travelled back from Stockholm overnight.

He has not even signed professional terms yet, but Maresca has been "excited for a long time" to give the promising midfielder his debut.

"He's very young, but in the way we want to play, in our way, in our style, he's perfect," Maresca said. "But he's still very young, he needs to learn, he needs to work hard and he needs to grow for sure.

"But we are happy, they just said to me that we gave eight debuts this season from the academy. I think it's good."

When asked if Walsh needs to shift his focus back to school quickly, the Italian replied: "This is the most important thing for him at this moment, no doubt!"

The technically gifted teen has largely played for Chelsea's Under-18s this season, where he has scored four goals and registered two assists in 15 appearances. He has also featured twice for the Under-21s.

Walsh joined Chelsea at the age of seven and is the latest in a long line of Cobham products, having also represented at Under-15 and Under-17 level.

Maresca revealed what he told the teenager during their touchline embrace: "'Enjoy the moment, be happy and play the way he's training with us every day'. He's so good because he makes everything easy."

, who scored a brace to move Chelsea one step away from the Conference League final, said of Walsh: "He's a very good player, top quality. For sure he is going to go far. I'm very happy for him to make his debut. I hope [there's] more to come for him and I am very happy for him."

Chelsea are fighting for a top-five place in the and a spot in next season's , with a league debut unlikely for Walsh before the end of the campaign. Though there is a chance he could feature once again in Europe in the return leg, in front of the Stamford Bridge crowd.