Ray Wilkins’ role as a mentor to young players has been highlighted following his death at the age of 61.
The former England midfielder went into coaching on his retirement and held roles at QPR, Fulham, Watford, Milwall, Aston Villa and Chelsea on several occasions, as well as with England Under-21s.
Midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah, who came through the ranks at Chelsea, wrote of Wilkins’ importance to his career on Twitter.
The 23-year-old, now with Watford, tweeted: “Really sad news about my former coach Ray Wilkins. At the tender age of 15 he put his arm around me and helped me during my transition with the first team. My thoughts are with his family at this sad time. Rest In Peace Ray.”
Wilkins began his playing career at Stamford Bridge and his association with Chelsea deepened following his retirement. He served his first spell as assistant and then caretaker manager between 1998 and 2000 and returned to the coaching staff under Luiz Felipe Scolari in 2008.
Former Blues goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini found Wilkins, who spent three seasons playing in Italy for AC Milan, a friendly face when he arrived at the club.
Cudicini, himself now a coach at Chelsea, wrote on Twitter: “I’ll never forget my first day at Harlington in August 1999. You approached me with your big smile and your gentleman-like ways saying “benvenuto al Chelsea!”. Being a big @acmilan fan, my journey at CFC couldn’t have started better. That smile will be hugely missed. RIP, Ray”
Josh McEachran, who first joined Chelsea at the age of seven in 2001, was another who considered Wilkins an important figure in his career.
The 25-year-old, now with Brentford, wrote on Twitter: “Absolutely devastated to hear the news about Ray Wilkins! Thank you for everything you done for me! You will be sorely missed”
It was during Wilkins’ time as assistant manager to Tim Sherwood at Aston Villa in 2015 that Jack Grealish came under the former midfielder’s wing, and his influence lasted long after Sherwood and Wilkins left the club.
Grealish tweeted: “So upset to hear the news of Ray Wilkins. RIP Ray. Even when Ray left villa, he was always ringing me offering advice and telling me what I could do to improve. A true gentleman and one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met.”
Former Republic of Ireland and Crystal Palace forward Clinton Morrison also expressed his sadness, describing Wilkins as a mentor.
Morrison wrote: “RIP Ray Wilkins Absolutely gutted he was a great mentor to me and a lovely person. Thoughts go out to his family.”