A stark warning of overhyping emerging English talents has become evident as Josh McEachran departs Chelsea. Here is a breakdown of previous Chelsea players who had a rising future with the club but never gained prominent success while at Stamford Bridge:
JODY MORRIS
Morris’ total of 173 Chelsea appearances has only been bettered by one youth-team graduate – John Terry – since then.
At times he held his own in midfields with players such as Didier Deschamps, Dennis Wise, Roberto Di Matteo and Gus Poyet.
Yet off-field indiscretions hardly helped his cause and he struggled after leaving Chelsea.
NATHANIEL CHALOBAH
It is a very modern model. The athletic Chalobah is an England Under-21 international who has been on loan to five different clubs, but is yet to make his Chelsea debut.
He has flourished in the Championship but failed to impress during a brief stint in the Premier League at Burnley. It is hard to see him having a future at Chelsea.
RYAN BERTRAND
Won the Uefa Champions League as a Chelsea player, playing out of position on the left of midfield, but Bertrand then saw Chelsea convert Cesar Azpilicueta to a left-back and sign another, in Filipe Luis.
Bertrand was loaned out nine times before joining Southampton permanently and was one of the best left-backs in England last season.
JACK CORK
The midfielder has proved himself to be an accomplished Premier League player with first Southampton and then Swansea but was never granted a first-team debut by Chelsea.
He went out on loan eight times, making more than 150 senior appearances while on the Blues’ books – but none of them for his parent club.
MICHAEL MANCIENNE
Only three players have represented England’s Under-21s more than Mancienne, who won 30 caps and a call-up to Fabio Capello’s senior squad.
Yet while he was named Chelsea’s Young Player of the Year in 2009, he only made six appearances for them, compared to 121 while out on loan. Sold in 2011, he now plays for Nottingham Forest.
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