Chelsea teenager Micheal Golding couldn’t hide his excitement in making his Blues bow and shared the moment with a humorous handshake with one of the match officials.
The 17-year-old midfielder made his first appearance for the club as a late substitute for Ezno Fernandez in the club’s 4-0 FA Cup Third Round win over Preston.
His excitement was for all to see too, as he waited on the touchline to enter the game alongside the match official, who was holding up the numbers.
However, Golding seemed to mistake the gesture for another good luck handshake and awkwardly grabbed the hand of the official and shook it a second time.
Chelsea youngster Michael Golding is congratulated by the official on his debut for the club
The teenager then goes in for a second handshake after mistaking a gesture from the official
The official shakes his hand for a second time before allowing him onto the pitch for his debut
Luckily the official takes it his stride and confidently shakes the teen’s hand once again.
He then holds his hand out for a third time – and slightly further away from the player – but this time around Golding is far to focussed on what is about to happen in his career to try the same handshake again.
Mauricio Pochettino made light work of the Championship side in the end, despite a frustrating first half that ended goalless at Stamford Bridge.
However, second half goals from Armando Broja, Thiago Silva, Raheem Sterling and Fernandez saw Chelsea comfortably through to the fourth Round.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side comfortably beat Preston 4-0 to advance to the next round
As well as a debut for Golding, Pochettino also handed a start to defender Alfie Gilchrist for only this third appearance in a Chelsea shirt.
Chelsea now look towards another cup meeting next week, as they take on Middlesbrough this Tuesday in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.
Michael Carrick’s side were also in FA Cup action today, narrowly losing to Premier League Aston Villa by way of a late Matty Cash deflected goal.
