Josh McEachran might only have been around the first team a short while but he’s already becoming a firm favourite at Chelsea.
Obviously at 17, there’s a long way to go before he’s the finished article but he’s showing plenty of potential, slotting into the side for three Premier League appearances so far this season, as well as appearing in the Champions League and the fact that he’s homegrown makes his progress all the more exciting.
Ray Wilkins says “It is lovely for everyone when a home-grown guy comes through. That has been the case with all the young lads who have come on this season and last season. The crowds have taken to them straight away. There seems to be an affiliation with the supporter that is lovely to watch.”
It’s certainly been a breakthrough for the Oxford-born lad, not only being fast-tracked into the first team – and bypassing other youngsters in the process – but also earning his England Under-19 call up after helping the Under-17s win the European Championship. And Wilkins gets all nostalgic about his own debut when it comes to McEachran.
McEachran – even at his age – seems to be taking any chance he gets in his stride despite the weight of expectation on his young shoulders and the Chelsea assistant coach says “It is an exciting time, coming on to make your debut. It is not the right word to say I sympathise with Josh but I can remember that nervous situation you go through when you come on. I get thrilled for him and thankfully he does not appear to show too many nerves.”
Let’s hope the club continue to look after him.
Blue is the colour
