After 15 years with Chelsea FC, Josh McEachran ended his time at Stamford Bridge on Friday, announcing a permanent move to Championship side Brentford FC on a four year deal.
Speaking to the club’s website, he explained why he felt his time with the Blues was up, and why he felt Brentford were the right fit for the next stage of his career.
RELATED: Chelsea FC’s Josh McEachran Signs For Brentford
Although on paper the midfielder was contracted with Chelsea for 15 years, realistically it wouldn’t have felt like that. After rising up through the youth ranks, McEachran made 22 appearances for the senior team before a succession of loan deals began in January 2012. He was loaned out five times over the next three years before sealing this permanent move to Brentford.
The former prodigy, who is still only 22 years old, is looking to restart a career that was destined for superstardom.
‘I have been at Chelsea for 15 years now so I felt it was time for a fresh start.
‘I want to get settled and start playing week in week out. As a young player all you want to do is to play week in week out.’
The issue was that even though he was being loaned out, he was rarely afforded regular playing time at his destination clubs. The only exceptions were at Middlesbrough where he made 38 appearances, and Vitesse last season where he managed to nail down a spot during the latter half of the campaign.
Brentford, however, will be expecting him to be a key cog in their machine and having reached the play-offs last time out, this is a club going places – a point that McEachran highlights.
‘There is a lot going on at Brentford and there are a lot of positive things happening.
‘Brentford as a club are really going in the right direction so for me to join at this time is really exciting. The manager and owner have put a lot of faith in me.’
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With just 1 year left to run on his Blues contract, Chelsea were only able to command a fee of £750,000, a bargain given the supposed potential of the player.
What is disappointing, however, is the fact that no Premier League outfit seemed interested in the player. Annointed as the chose one by Carlo Ancelotti, the midfielder has suffered quite a fall from grace, and one that is reasonably well documented in the minds of the Stamford Bridge faithful. The fact that no top flight club wanted to take a chance on him is perhaps testament to this thought.
Having said this, McEachran is fortunate as his age means that he still has the opportunity to fulfil his promise. Playing time is what he needs, and what he should get at Griffin Park next season. While multiple managers have spoken highly of him, no boss has yet put enough faith in him to play every week. This should now change.
Furthermore, as mentioned Brentford are indeed knocking on the Premier League’s door, and McEachran might just be that final piece the club needs to get them over the finish line.
For the moment, all we can say is good luck Josh. Chelsea fans everywhere will want to see you back amongst the big boys soon.
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