Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea youth debuts: Where are they now?
By George Perry
Jimmy Smith
Chelsea appearances: 1 (2005-2009)
Current club: Crawley Town FC
Jimmy Smith, like Sam Hutchinson, progressed through the Chelsea youth academy from U9 to the first team. Smith made one first team appearance, and then was bundled off on loan. In the four years Jimmy Smith was on Chelsea’s books he made 66 appearances for Queens Park Rangers, Norwich City, Sheffield Wednesday and Leyton Orient.
After signing a permament transfer to Leyton Orient in 2009, Smith expressed the feelings of all loanees:
"It was frustrating that I never really got the chance,” said the 23-year-old. “I remember thinking I was involved, then I’d go on loan. I’d come back to a new manager and think I’d have another chance. I was always in and around the first team but things changed. That’s why I felt it was time to move on and do what’s right for me. – Evening Standard"
Next: Michael Woods