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Ben Palmer

Tue 20 May 2025 7:00, UK

Chelsea plan add a sell-on clause as they let one of their “highly-rated” young stars depart the club this summer.

Thanks to some savvy recruitment, the Blues are blessed with a plethora of young attacking talent.

Cole Palmer has been nominated for the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season for a second consecutive season, whilst Ecuadorian wonderkid Kendry Paez is set to complete his long-awaited move to Stamford Bridge this summer.

But an unfortunate side effect of Chelsea‘s transfer business is that many of the club’s talented youth-teamers will find it hard to break into the first team.

As reported by The Athletic, an England U19 international is expected to leave the club this summer, with Championship and League One clubs already showing interest, but the Blues will add a sell-on clause if he does leave.

Chelsea prepared to listen to offers for starlet Leo Castledine

As reported, Leo Castledine is expected to leave the club on a permanent transfer this summer.

The attacking midfielder impressed whilst on loan at Shrewsbury Town, before his stay was cut short by a back injury.

With Chelsea having a plethora of midfielders to choose from, Castledine has decided he would be “better off” going elsewhere for the sake of his career.

The Blues value Castledine highly, but are prepared to listen to offers, which will include a sell-on clause.

With EFL clubs already showing interest a loan has not been ruled out where the youngster will be signed to a contract extension back at Chelsea, but Castledine is reportedly “wary of it becoming a regular occurrence”.

Chelsea take inspiration from Real Madrid

Football Insider Verdict

Castledine is already an England U19 international and has scored twice in five appearances for his national side.

But with Palmer, Paez, the “new Neymar” Estevao joining Chelsea, and several other incredibly talented attacking midfielders ahead of him, moving on is a sensible choice.

The midfielder has shown during his time on loan that he can thrive in the professional game despite his tender age.

What’s more, it is a move that suits Chelsea. Should Castledine blossom, they will likely receive a nice cash boost down the line with the sell-on clause.

It is a tactic that has been heavily employed by Real Madrid, who have often struggled to give their youth players a chance to break into the first team.

Instead of holding onto the talent and stunting their careers, the Spanish giants give the players a pathway to senior football, whilst also having the opportunity to consistently make pure profit, something that Chelsea will be well aware of, given their issues with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR).