Chelsea’s forgotten starlet given boost by international boss

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England under-21 boss Gareth Southgate has been talking about Chelsea midfielder Josh McEachran.

Chelsea’s Josh McEachran was a young player hailed more than most, and yet now at the age of 21, he has so far failed to live up to the considerable expectations that accompanied his first steps towards footballing stardom.

A number of loan moves have failed to see the midfielder force his way into the first-team reckoning at Stamford Bridge. But with a contract that runs until 2016, there is still a chance he can do what the headlines once declared was inevitable and make it at the Blues.

McEachran has been overshadowed in recent times by the likes of Ross Barkley and Luke Shaw – players who are looking forward to a trip to the World Cup while the Chelsea player can only dream of such things.

And yet as he prepares to play for England’s under-21s in their upcoming match against Wales, McEachran has received a boost from his international boss.

In quotes published by Sky Sports, Gareth Southgate praised the young player, saying, “He is a player that we know can use the ball. He has ability on the ball.

“The way we want to play is through midfield so you need midfield players that can handle possession and Josh is a good footballer technically.”

Many have praised his technique and it was that which stood him out from the crowd as a youth. So why has he so far failed to make it at his parent-club?

Well in short there is simply too much competition for places to see McEachran ever forcing his way into Jose Mourinho’s plans.

It is far more likely that he will end up at another Premier League club, where he can finally show what he can do in England’s top-flight.

But for now all he needs is confidence, something Southgate reflected on when he said, “We are hoping Josh being with us this week sets him up with renewed enthusiasm for next season because we know what talent he has got.”

Sometimes, it seems, talent is not enough. But at just 21 there is no reason why McEachran cannot still generate the positive headlines inspired by him even before he had justified such things.