Josh McEachran has been with the first team during the tour of Asia but is not yet in Jose Mourinho’s plans and it has already been confirmed that he will be going out on loan.
But he won’t be going back to Championship side Middlesbrough as their manager Tony Mowbray says he has enough cover in his position:
“He’s a very talented boy and, for half a season last year, he performed at a high level for us.
“But I think those positions are probably filled in our team now.”
The 20-year-old had been tipped for a big future ever since he was given his first opportunities by Carlo Ancelotti and made 17 appearances during the 2010-11 season, but managed only 10 the following season, five for the Blues and another five during an unsuccessful stint at Swansea.
He did manage to find regular football at Middlesbrough last season playing 38 games but he really has to be playing in the Premier League if he’s to make any real progress or if he’s to make it at Chelsea, but there probably aren’t many teams that will be willing to guarantee him regular football at that level.
It’s not all about just getting the opportunities either, it’s about taken them and there are a few lads at the club that McEachran will have to look over his shoulder for as they’re perhaps a little further in terms of development despite being younger in age.
Nathaniel Chalobah is just one example and although he’s a different player to McEachran, they both prefer to play in central midfield. He’s only 18 but after a successful spell with Watford last season he could settle in most Championship first XIs and looks more likely to be given starting opportunities in the Premier League that McEachran does at this juncture. Mourinho is highly impressed by Chalobah and says this season will be his last loan, so he’s also more likely to be given his chance at Chelsea sooner.
There’s also the likes of Nathan Ake, 18, who is a versatile performer and probably doesn’t have to go out on loan for this season as he should get decent playing time if he’s handed a squad role. Ruben Loftus-Cheek is only 17 but seemed fearless against Yaya Toure during the post-season US tour. It was only a friendly but he demonstrated that he’s physically ready for the next step and the over zealous Toure had to kick the teenager off the park in the second game because he was a handful.
I don’t think anyone would write McEachran off in terms of his talent but he could probably work much harder than he does as there are younger lads that are perhaps a little hungrier than he is, physically stronger and closer to the first team. One good loan spell for McEachran could change everything for him but if things plateau as they are then he could face a similar situation to Kakuta.
Source: Daily Star
