Chelsea FC’s Josh McEachran Signs For Brentford
Brentford FC have completed the signing of Chelsea FC’s former youth prodigy, Joshua McEachran, on a 4-year deal for an undisclosed fee, according to Squawka. The transfer, confirmed by the Championship club’s official Twitter account, has ended McEachran’s 15-year association with the club that he joined at the age of 7.
The 22-year old was on the final year of a 5-year contract he signed in 2011. He amassed a total of 22 appearances in the senior squad in all competitions, with 6 coming in the Champions League and 11 in the Premier League.
NEWS | @JMcEachran20 has today completed his move from @ChelseaFC, signing a four-year deal with #brentfordfc pic.twitter.com/Y1Jf3TPU9E
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) July 10, 2015
The youngster made his competitive Chelsea debut in the 2010/2011 UEFA Champions League group stage clash against MŠK Žilina under manager Carlo Ancelotti, being brought on in the 78th minute. He followed that with another substitute appearance in the League Cup clash against Newcastle United, his home debut for the club.
His Premier League debut came in a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City while his first start was in the return UCL clash against MŠK Žilina. In all, he managed 17 appearances in his debut season with the first team, with his impressive performances earning him the Chelsea Young Player of the Year award.
He then signed a new 5-year contract in July 2011, a few weeks after the appointment of Andre Villas-Boas, but it did not translate into playing time. His final Chelsea appearance came in a 2-1 League Cup victory against Everton where his highlight was winning a penalty.
He was then sent out on loan to Swansea City (then managed by ex-Chelsea reserves coach Brendan Rodgers) in January 2012, citing a need for more game time. Unfortunately, his struggles continued as he was only afforded 5 appearances, with Rodgers unwilling to disrupt an already settled team.
He then moved on a season-long loan to Championship side Middlesbrough in August 2012, managed by former Chelsea midfield legend Roberto Di Matteo. This was his most productive spell, forming an impressive partnership with Grant Leadbitter in centre of the pitch, making 38 appearances for the club.
He followed that with a 6-month loan spell at Watford, where fitness and performance issues ensured he only made 8 appearances before being sent back to his parent club in January.
He spent the remainder of the 2013/2014 season on loan at Wigan Athletic, which was another disappointing experience for the youngster as he only managed 11 appearances in all competitions for the Championship side.
Last season saw him travel to Dutch Eredivise side Vitesse Arnhem on a season-long loan in August 2014, along with Bertrand Traore. Although he initially struggled for game time, he appeared in the club’s last 10 games, starting 9 and registering 3 assists during that spell. In all, he made 21 appearances for the club.
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Once touted by former Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins as the next “Liam Brady” after watching him play as a 15-year old, the youngster failed to kick on from his initial promise. The managerial changes at the club (Chelsea have had 5 managers since the youngster made his debut in 2011) most certainly didn’t help matters either.
Internationally, though, he excelled. He played a key role in England’s Under-17 European Championship victory in 2010 and featured for the Under-21 team at the age of 17.
McEachran has been lauded by almost every manager he has played under for his technical brilliance and keen footballing brain, with Villas-Boas even claiming he would become as good as Luka Modric and Samir Nasri. His passing ability and ball control have been widely praised as well.
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However, issues with his slight physique have always been a major problem, which could have been the main reason for his struggles at his various loan clubs. Vitesse Arnhem manager, Peter Bosz, claimed that he had to put the youngster on a personal programme to boost his fitness due to his inability to contribute effectively for the duration of games.
Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, expects his midfielders to contribute to all facets of play, which was always going to be difficult for the 22-yea- old. So a move away from the club was the likely scenario, as the Blues would most probably not be renewing his expiring contract.
What is most disappointing, in my opinion, is the fact that he could not garner enough interest from any of the current EPL sides, even the newly promoted ones. For a player once touted as the future of English Football (alongside current Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere) by former England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce, it is a spectacular fall from grace and it will become another stick with which all those that detest Chelsea’s current youth policy will use to beat the club.
But again, a chance at stability and to start again away from the media spotlight might just be what the youngster needs to rediscover the form that made him a fan-favourite at the club. I personally wish him all the best at his new club and I hope that he will eventually return to pull on a Blue shirt sometime in the future, just like Nemanja Matic.
What do you think? Do you reckon that we’ll ever see McEachran reach his potential? Will he ever play at the top level again? Get involved and sound off in the comments below!
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