Josh McEachran loan

**Hutchinson56** · 5th January 2012, 11:24

It's been rumoured that Josh would be going out on loan for some time. Latest developments, according to this article, are as follows:

McEachran in the middle as Aston Villa and Swansea battle to take Chelsea youngster on loan

Josh McEachran is at the centre of a tug-of-war between Aston Villa and Swansea City.

The 18-year-old Chelsea playmaker is being courted by Alex McLeish and Brendan Rodgers and is likely to make his mind up before the weekend as to where he will be sent on loan.

McLeish is desperate for added guile in a midfield that has been exposed as Villa's weakness this season.*

Rodgers knows the England Under 21 international from his time spent as reserve team manager at Stamford Bridge.

McEachran has made just a handful of appearances this season but is tipped for a bright future and signed a five-year deal in the summer.

The youngster had also been linked with Bolton after Blues striker Daniel Sturridge and Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere had successful spells at the Reebok Stadium in the last couple of seasons.

But it looks like a two-horse race between McLeish and Rodgers with McEachran due to make a decision in the next 48 hours.

*The same could very well be said of the Chelsea midfield. If there's a possibility that Josh might get more playing time, then a loan is undoubtedly a good move.

However, the question that remains is whether he could or should already have been given more playing time with the Chelsea first team.

**Hutchinson56** · 7th January 2012, 19:07

From the BBC:

Swansea City want Chelsea midfielder Josh McEachran

Swansea City hope to close in on a season-long loan deal for Chelsea midfielder Josh McEachran in the January transfer window.

BBC Sport understands the Swans are in talks with their Premier League rivals about signing the 18-year-old to boost their top-flight survival hopes.

McEachran returned from a five-week lay-off because of an ankle injury in Chelsea's 2-1 win at Wolves on Monday.

"We've enquired about him," confirmed Swansea first-team coach Colin Pascoe.

"We want him, he'll suit us and hopefully he'll come to us.

Swansea have already signed Iceland international midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson, Northern Ireland Under-21 striker Rory Donnelly and former France youth international defender Darnel Situ in this transfer window.

Swans boss Brendan Rodgers admitted his interest in McEachran in October before the young midfielder suffered the ankle injury in their Carling Cup defeat to Liverpool on 29 November.

"He is a wonderful talent and the positive thing is that clubs see Swansea as a club that can develop such talents," Rodgers said at the time.

McEachran graduated through the academy ranks at Stamford Bridge, where Rodgers worked as a youth coach until 2008 - and the Swansea manager will hope his links can help boost his midfield options.

"I'm not sure where I'm going out on loan yet," McEachran said on Twitter. "I will let you all know as soon as I do."

But Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas criticised Rodgers after he publicly expressed an interest in signing McEachran, insisting: "It shouldn't be allowed and it doesn't work like that."

Rodgers, though, has attracted Chelsea players on loan previously as Italy Under-21 striker Fabio Borini was at Swansea last season.

LINK

**Mehitabel** · 7th January 2012, 22:37

Do you feel, Hutch, that being sent out on loan is, in the long term, good for the youngsters prospects? or not?

**Hutchinson56** · 7th January 2012, 23:11

Youngsters in general or Josh in particular? Generally, it's a good thing, in cases such as with Josh, where the player in question isn't getting enough first team experience.

At least that's the theory, a theory which worked spectacularly well with Daniel Sturridge, who according to Cliver Walker among others, went to Bolton a boy, and came back a man. On the other hand there's Gael Kakuta, whose loan spells at Fulham and Bolton haven't exactly been successful.

Of course in football there is no such thing as a cast-iron guarantee of success, but we have to hope that Josh's experience while out on loan turns out to be closer to Sturridge's than Kakuta's.

**Dkw** · 8th January 2012, 10:15

A loan for a youngster is always beneficial in my opinion, even if it doesnt go well. Any young player who gets loaned to a prem club is obviously doing well and in the main wont have had many bad times (injuries aside). Even going to a club and being dissapointed can be character building. As for Josh, I always hoped he would go to Swansea as it just fits so well, but they have signed another young midfielder on loan so I`m not sure how much game time he would get now.

**Mehitabel** · 8th January 2012, 10:33

So why did Kakuta's experience go so wrong? I remember all the excitement when we signed him, and wonder why Fulham and Bolton didn't know how to optimise his potential.

**Hutchinson56** · 8th January 2012, 11:29

Firstly Kakuta's career was seriously sidetracked by that ridiculous ban and wasn't helped by a subsequent lengthy spell out injured. I'm not sure why it didn't work out for him at Fulham; maybe there was just too much competition.

At Bolton on the other hand, the hope from all parties was that a loan spell for Kakuta would be as successful as Sturridge's. However, even last season Bolton were struggling, and this season their overall form has dipped even further. Not exactly the ideal scenario to give extensive playing time to unproven youngsters.

Ideally I'd have liked to have seen him given more of an opportunity with the Chelsea first team, which may well have already happened if not for the ban and subsequent injury.

**Faiza** · 8th January 2012, 14:16

This should be true. It'll be helpful both for Josh and Chelsea. 'Cause he's not really getting to play in every games. And when he'll come back he'll come as a much stronger Josh!

**AVB** · 8th January 2012, 14:56

We might actually see him come on as a sub against Portsmouth later on.

**Hutchinson56** · 8th January 2012, 15:01

Which would leave him cup tied for the rest of the season. And which may or may not have an effect on the possibility of a decent loan deal.

**Hutchinson56** · 8th January 2012, 16:14

Update from Sky:

Swans move for McEachran
Swans waiting on Chelsea decision

Swansea City have enquired about signing Chelsea midfielder Josh McEachran on loan.

McEachran has been a long-term transfer target for Swansea with Brendan Rodgers confirming his admiration for the 18-year-old in the past.

Chelsea are thought to be ready to loan out McEachran so that he can get some regular action under his belt and a number of clubs are thought to be chasing his signature.

Swansea first-team coach Colin Pascoe has confirmed they have made an enquiry for McEachran and are waiting to see if they will be able to bring the midfielder to the Liberty Stadium.

"We've enquired about him," admitted Pascoe.

"We want him, he'll suit us and hopefully he'll come to us."

LINK

**Dkw** · 8th January 2012, 17:17

I think Kakuta has been very unlucky, both clubs he went to were expected to be mid league and comfortable so he would get game time. It turned out both clubs ended up in the bottom 5 or 6 and he`s not really the kind of player you need for a relegation fight.

**Hutchinson56** · 12th January 2012, 16:34

Confirmed, according to the Sporting Life:

SWANS AGREE JOSH McEACHRAN DEAL

Swansea have reached an agreement to loan Josh McEachran from Chelsea but will have to wait before the midfielder can complete the move to south Wales.

Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers, a former youth and reserve team manager at Stamford Bridge, has been keen to bring in the 18-year-old to bolster his squad and confirmed that the deal has been agreed in principle.

But the England Under-21 international will not join Swansea immediately as Chelsea monitor their midfield injury situation before making a final decision over whether the move can go through.

Rodgers said: "We have made an agreement with Chelsea, but they have one or two injuries so we are just waiting to hear when he will be allowed to come.

"The important thing is we have found an agreement, which is fantastic.

"In my short career as a manager, I have had six players from Chelsea, I have a great relationship there and I'm sure it will go through sooner rather than later.

"I understand he will still be at Chelsea this weekend, but if there is any movement it will be in the early part of next week.

"It's been a process and we have to respect he is a Chelsea player and as much as we would like to have him here, there is more to it than that.

"He is obviously a talent and they want to be sure that they let him out at the right time.

"We as a club, and me as a manager, have to respect that. I certainly understand the position Chelsea are in and as soon as they are ready to let him out he will be out here."

LINK

**AVB** · 12th January 2012, 18:33

Oh thats good news, I would love to see him play for Swansea.

**liquidator** · 12th January 2012, 18:44

yeah me too. Josh badly needs more playing time and Swansea could be brilliant for him.

**Hutchinson56** · 13th January 2012, 11:09

According to the Express Josh will be off next week:

JOSH MCEACHRAN AGREES LOAN MOVE TO SWANSEA

JOSH McEachran has agreed a loan move to Swansea but will not link up with his new team-mates until next week.

England Under-21 star McEachran will join Brendan Rodgers’ men for the rest of the season.

He will remain with Chelsea for tomorrow’s Premier League clash against Sunderland at Stamford Bridge.

LINK

**Hutchinson56** · 17th January 2012, 21:26

Confirmation today that Josh will be on loan at the Liberty for the rest of the season. He obviously won't be available when we play Swansea away on January 31st, but will hopefully get plenty of playing time.

This is what Josh himself has to say:

"I'm delighted to be here.

"I wanted to come earlier but Chelsea had a few injuries and things. There was interest from a number of other Premier League clubs but I wanted to come to Swansea because of the style of football they play. I think it will suit m

"The manager [Brendan Rodgers] also had a big impact on my decision. I've known him from his Chelsea days and I think he is a fantastic manager.

"He's got the team playing well. I watched the Arsenal game on TV and they did really, really well. It's hard to believe that nine years ago Swansea were bottom of the entire Football League and Arsenal were top of the Premier League.

"It's a really young team and I think I will fit in well. I certainly hope so because I want to get a place in the team and play a lot more Premier League games."

LINK

**AVB** · 18th January 2012, 02:01

I will surely watch him play. Im sure when he comes back from his loan, he will be stronger and better.

**AVB** · 18th January 2012, 07:53

McEachran seals Swansea move

Swansea have signed highly-rated Chelsea midfielder Josh McEachran on loan for the rest of the season.

The 18-year-old travelled to south Wales on Monday night and trained with his new team-mates on Tuesday, with the move ratified by the Premier League that afternoon.

McEachran, who joined Chelsea at the age of eight, revealed he chose Swansea ahead of other Premier League clubs, saying: "I'm delighted to be here."

He added: "I wanted to come earlier but Chelsea had a few injuries and things. There was interest from a number of other Premier League clubs but I wanted to come to Swansea because of the style of football they play. I think it will suit me."

McEachran made his first-team debut for Chelsea in a Champions League clash with MSK Zilina in September 2010, becoming the first player younger than the competition itself to appear in it.

He continued to impress last season, making a number of appearances in the Barclays Premier League, and also became a regular for the England Under-21 side.

He signed a five-year contract with Chelsea in the summer but his opportunities under new manager Andre Villas-Boas have been limited, and he revealed the chance to play under Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers was a major factor in his decision.

He added on swanseacity.net: "The manager also had a big impact on my decision. I've known him from his Chelsea days and I think he is a fantastic manager.

"He's got the team playing well. I watched the Arsenal game on TV and they did really, really well. It's hard to believe that nine years ago Swansea were bottom of the entire Football League and Arsenal were top of the Premier League.

"It's a really young team and I think I will fit in well. I certainly hope so because I want to get a place in the team and play a lot more Premier League games."

Link

From the official Chelsea website:

On finalising his loan move to Swansea City, Josh McEachran spoke exclusively with Chelsea TV about the challenge that awaits him in Wales.

The midfielder joined until the end of the season with a club who are making a fist of life in their first Barclays Premier League season under former Chelsea reserve team coach Brendan Rodgers.

Having played just five times this season for Chelsea, the 18-year-old felt it would be beneficial to try to gain regular action elsewhere at the top level.

'I want to get game time to be honest, and it will be good playing for Brendan. Swansea play really good football and I'm looking forward to it,' McEachran told Chelsea TV's Blues News.

'I'm 18 now and need to get out there and play week in week out for a footballing team like Swansea so it will be good for my development.'

The England Under 21 man explained he has spoken with Rodgers about the move and feels he will benefit of playing in a side suited to his own playing style.

'He has called me a few times to tell me what's going to happen,' explained Oxford-born McEachran. 'He wants me to go and play but is not putting any pressure on me, he just wants me to play my football. The Premier League is the best in the world and it's the only place I want to play my football.

'Brendan has done a terrific job bringing them up and everybody thought they would struggle but they have kept the same pattern of play, they play up from the back and have had a couple of good results lately.

'I was only 12 or 13 when Brendan was youth team manager but I am good friends with his son Anton. I used to go to their house when I was younger.'

At Chelsea since he was eight, Swansea will bring a new environment for McEachran, who admits nervousness at the thought of new surroundings despite the presence of both Rodgers and former Blues team-mate Scott Sinclair at the Liberty Stadium.

'You just have to get on with it, I am sure they will be a great bunch of lads, but I am just scared about singing!' he conceded.

'I've heard I've got to sing up there so I'm thinking of a song to sing. I sang "Build Me Up Buttercup" here so maybe I'll do that again, that's the safe option!'

The full TV interview can be viewed online now.

You will be able to keep up with Josh's progress at Swansea right here on the official Chelsea website.