When I saw Josh McEachran named amongst our subs yesterday, for me it was confirmation of just how highly Ancelotti rates him.
Giving him a go against Newcastle in the Carling Cup is one thing, but including him in the Premier League against a side like City is completely different. And whilst he might have been on the bench, the mere fact that he’s in the side at all suggested Carlo would consider using him. And it might have only been for the last ten minutes or so, but include him is exactly what Ancelotti chose to do with us chasing a goal. High praise indeed for the 17 year old.
Little wonder then that instead of sending him out on loan – as would usually be the case at Chelsea – the club are actually warning Championship clubs to keep their distance. McEachran had already featured in a couple of senior games this season, with the home debut against Newcastle and a brief Champions League appearance against MSK Zilina and with injuries to Frank Lampard and Yossi Benayoun, could well find himself playing against Marseille next.
Carlo Ancelotti confirms “He can play in the first team right now, without problem. He is very young but he showed fantastic ability and quality. So it is possible. If we need him he is ready to play the Premier League and the Champions League. I am not afraid to put a young player in important games because he has fantastic quality.”
Reiterating his plans to keep him at Stamford Bridge, the Chelsea manager says “We won’t be sending him on loan. He will stay here and play here. We now have one more player. It’s a surprise because he is a very talented player and we prepared a programme for him to improve but I think he is improving very quickly.
“I don’t have a fear of rushing him because his character is good, he is focused. He has balance. He is not afraid or quiet. And for this reason I can say he can play. There is a possibility he can play a part against Marseille. We may need someone because without Lampard, without Benayoun we don’t have a lot of midfielders. And if we need him I think we can count on him. He has the ability to change the game – he can make a difference.”
Having watched him play for the England U-17s, beating Spain in the final, Sir Trevor Brooking echo’s Ancelotti’s sentiments, saying “Josh is left-footed, really good on the ball, and sees a pass. He’s one of those where you’ve got to decide where to play him, he can play wide or tucked in. He also has a good attitude.”
As for the rising star himself, he’s hopeful he can progress from here, stating “I want to score more goals. Chelsea say to me ‘look at Frank Lampard’. I need to get into the box more. Last year was really good for me. I didn’t perform very well in the early stages of the Youth Cup but in the semi-final and final I thought I picked up my game and played well. Then came the European under-17 Championships. They say it was the strongest crop they have had for 10 years, and hopefully a few of us can push on.”
Young, home-grown, English and absolutely loaded with potential – no wonder we’re keeping this one!
Blue is the colour
