New Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior took charge of first‑team training on Thursday and will make his touchline debut in Saturday’s FA Cup third‑round tie away to Championship side Charlton Athletic
Leo Castledine is set to join Middlesbrough on a permanent transfer(Image: Anna Gowthorpe/Shutterstock)
Liam Rosenior has given his first green light to a January departure, with Leo Castledine set to join Middlesbrough from Chelsea on a permanent deal. The 20‑year‑old has been on loan at Huddersfield Town this season, where he scored 12 goals and provided five assists.
Boro had been tracking his progress and were impressed by the Chelsea academy product’s superb form, agreeing a deal to sign him permanently. Castledine is due to undergo his medical at the Riverside Stadium on Friday.
According to football.london, a fee close to £2million will be paid to Chelsea, who are understood to have included a sell‑on clause in the deal. Castledine joined the Blues’ academy at the age of five before moving to AFC Wimbledon two years later.
READ MORE: Liam Rosenior makes first Chelsea hire as he personally hands out new role
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However, in 2020, Chelsea re-signed him and he later penned his first professional contract at Stamford Bridge in August 2022.
Castledine’s first team debut came in the 6-1 Carabao Cup semi-final win over Middlesbrough in January 2024 and it turned out to be his only appearance in the senior team.
When confirmed, Castledine will become the first transfer sanctioned during Rosenior’s tenure as Chelsea head coach. However, it is not the only decision he has made.
Liam Rosenior will be in charge of Chelsea in Saturday’s FA Cup third‑round tie against Charlton(Image: PA)
According to the Daily Mail, he has asked the club’s caretaker, Calum McFarlane, to join his staff as one of his assistants – his first major decision since taking charge of the Blues.
McFarlane stepped in to lead the team after Enzo Maresca was dismissed on New Year’s Day, taking charge for two matches – the first a credible draw at Manchester City, before a defeat to Fulham on Wednesday night.
Calum McFarlane could become part of Liam Rosenior’s backroom staff(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
The expectation was for the 37‑year‑old to return to his role with the club’s U21s, but Rosenior, who was in the stands for the defeat at Craven Cottage, has reportedly, personally asked McFarlane to join his staff as one of his assistants.
The ex‑Strasbourg manager has been struck by how well he steadied the squad during a turbulent week and McFarlane is now in line for a promotion.
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