Chelsea loan army: Keep, loan or sell? Jamie Cumming (Part 3)
In Part 2 of this series, I discussed Nathan Baxter’s career at Chelsea and talked about what his future in football looks like. For those who haven’t read the introductory piece on this series, a different player will be the subject of a new piece every day. I am beginning with goalkeepers and working my way up the pitch, with each position group being sorted in order by the way in which they appear on the club’s website.
As I continue on with the loan army series, I round out the goalkeeper loanees with Jamie Cumming. Not only is Cumming the third and final goalkeeper out on loan, but he’s also the third name on the list thus far that should be very familiar to Blues fans. Let’s get into the details of his young career.
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- Chelsea loan Army: How Ian Maatsen has got on at Burnley
- What’s next for Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher as asking price revealed?
- The next man up for Chelsea: Left back Ian Maatsen
- The next man up for Chelsea: Center forward Mason Burstow
What does Jamie Cumming’s Chelsea career look like?
Cumming is the baby of the bunch when it comes to the goalkeeping subsection of Chelsea’s loan army. He’s also been with the club for the shortest amount of time. Whereas Jamal Blackman and Nathan Baxter joined the English giants back in 2006, Cumming didn’t become a part of the Blues’ academy until 2008. He was eight when he joined the youth ranks and that’s where he spent a decade of his career.
During his time with Chelsea’s developmental sides, Cumming progressed quite rapidly. It took until 2017 for him to really get recognized by Blues fans though. Cumming began the 2017/18 season as the starting keeper for the U17 side. By the campaign’s end, he had racked up numerous appearances for the U19 and U21 teams, as well. Cumming got game time in the EFL Trophy and the UEFA Youth League. His heroics in the Youth League semifinal against Porto—where he saved three shots in the penalty shoot-out to lead his team to victory—earned him a call up to the England U19 squad. It also saw him sign his first professional contract.
Cumming put pen to paper on his debut deal with the Blues’ senior side in 2018, despite playing most of the following season in the developmental ranks once again. However, he did manage to appear on Maurizio Sarri’s bench during the Europa League final in 2019. Cumming’s inclusion in Baku is not the only reason he’s known amongst Chelsea supporters either. He was named the Blues’ third choice goalkeeper during the 2019/20 season under Frank Lampard. Although he made no appearances, it was still good experience for the youngster.
Lampard and Co. then decided to loan him out for the 2020/21 campaign following rumors Chelsea would sign a new starting shot stopper. Kepa Arrizabalaga, Willy Caballero and the unknown third keeper—who turned out to be Edouard Mendy—were the Blues’ three senior choices. The decision saw Cumming temporarily move to League Two’s Stevenage.
The 21-year-old has hit the 40-match mark for the Boro across League Two, the FA Cup, the EFL Trophy and the EFL Cup. Cumming has managed to make the starting goalkeeper role his own by keeping 16 clean sheets across all competitions. He has played a massive hand—no pun intended—in Stevenage’s 11-game unbeaten run in the league. Cumming’s gotten starts in 10 consecutive contests, only letting in three goals during that span.
This begs the question: what does Chelsea do with Cumming this summer?
Verdict: Loan
Cumming is only just beginning his professional career. I imagine he can earn himself a loan up the ladder of English leagues next season, playing in either League One or maybe even the Championship. His contract runs until 2023—having signed a four-year extension in 2019. Cumming may not be a world class shot-stopper like Gianluigi Donnarumma at the age of 21, but he’s a very exciting prospect. The Blues need to continue to keep a watchful eye on their up and coming loan army keeper, there is a lot of potential in the English youth star.
dark. Next. Chelsea loan army: Keep, loan or sell? Nathan Baxter (Part 2)
Remember to check back with The Pride of London each and every day as I dive into the largely uncharted world of Chelsea’s famous loan army. Part four’s subject is defender Juan Castillo.