As we close in on the official opening of the transfer window (July 1st), Chelsea FC are already rumoured to be involved in multiple deals. While these concern both incoming and outgoing players, interestingly not much has been said about the future of midfielder Josh McEachran.
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McEachran has been a Blue all his life. Joining the Chelsea academy in 2001 (yes, that is pre-Roman Abramovich), the Englishman worked his way up through the youth teams for nine years. Incredibly talented and highly rated, McEachran helped the academy to the first of what would be four FA Youth Cups in six seasons in 2010.
Only 17 years old at the time, Carlo Ancelotti then chose not to send him on loan like many of his contemporaries, instead adding him to his senior squad for the 2010/11 season. The campaign was somewhat of a breakout year for the youngster. He made 17 appearances for the Blues, with nine coming in the league, and was held up as a symbol of Chelsea’s supposed burgeoning academy system.
Perhaps more surprisingly, six of his appearances came in the Champions League. This only underlines the confidence and trust Chelsea management had in the skills of McEachran.
Being used as a holding midfielder, McEachran’s performances were recognised at the end of the season as he was named Chelsea’s Young Player of the Year. Furthermore, he signed a mega five year deal soon after the campaign’s close in July.
Things were only looking up.
With the likes of Kurt Zouma and Ruben Loftus-Cheek on the brink of the 1st XI, McEachran seems like the forgotten man
With Ancelotti gone and Andre Villas-Boas installed, McEachran still seemed to have his career on course as he was again included in the senior squad for the 2011/12 season. However, his playing opportunities diminished under the tumultuous reign of the former Porto manager and he was loaned out in January to Swansea City, having made only two league appearances.
Nevertheless, the Englishman was still only 19 and was set to receive the increased playing time that would be crucial to his development.
Unfortunately, this didn’t happen. He made only four league appearances and five overall, with just the two starts.
The next season he was sent away for its entirety to Middlesbrough, which was more successful. He appeared in 38 Championship games for the club, sitting at the heart of their midfield.
However, just as things looked to be getting back on track, the following campaign (2013/14) saw two short-term spells at Watford and Wigan that did little to help anyone involved.
Last season, meanwhile, saw McEachran be sent on loan for a fifth time, this time abroad to Vitesse (whom Chelsea have some weird feeder relationship with). This move was unremarkable as he chipped in as a bit-part player, not impressing nor disappointing.
McEachran now has only one year left to run on his contract, so where will he be headed to, if anywhere, next season?
The issue with the midfielder is that he has failed to properly develop at any of the clubs he’s been sent to. As a result he now seems far away from even getting a sniff at a senior team appearance. With the likes of Kurt Zouma and Ruben Loftus-Cheek on the brink of the 1st XI, McEachran more or less seems like the forgotten man. And that is a shame.
It was evident to everyone that the young Englishman had bags of talent. People ranging from journalists to fans to Chelsea management were convinced that the kid was destined for greatness at Stamford Bridge. Perhaps it was this pressure and these expectations that played a part in his fall from grace.
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From the time that Villas-Boas was put in charge, McEachran’s career became decreasingly promising. This is paid testament by the fact that almost no-one is speaking of him as a transfer target.
Hell, this player should be on the radar of nearly every Premier League club.
The only positive thing about his current situation is that he is only 22. Bursting onto the scene so young has meant that he still has time to forge a career in the big leagues. McEachran would be an asset to almost any team, and from his perspective it is time to move on permanently from Chelsea. His future doesn’t lie at Stamford Bridge anymore and he, his agent and the club should realise this.
If Chelsea were to formally transfer list the player, there would undoubtedly be many suitors surfacing. The Chelsea brass may not want to do this as it would likely mean selling at a cut-down price, but given that he joined as a school boy and thus has cost the club barely anything, why should this be an issue? Besides, his contract runs out next summer and it seems highly unlikely that he’ll be drawn into signing a new one.
The tale of McEachran has been close to tragic and perhaps exemplifies the poor state in which the club found itself between the reigns of Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho (2nd time around). The silver lining is that he is still only 22 and should have both the time and the talent to fulfil some of the hefty expectations originally heaped on his young shoulders. However, a permanent move this summer to a good club will be key in allowing this to happen.
McEachran deserves better than this.
What do you think then, Chelsea fans? Will McEachran ever have a proper role in Chelsea’s senior squad? Will he ever be able to fulfil his potential? Vote in the poll and sound off in the comments below!
Next: Chelsea FC Transfer Rumour Round-Up, June 21st 2015