Josh McEachran entered 2012 top of the New Year shopping list for a number of Premier League managers and after much speculation he has joined Swansea City for the rest of the season.
The move will see him link up with former Blues reserve team manager Brendan Rodgers who has helped mastermind a magical first Premier League season for the South Wales side and the move provides them both with a great opportunity.
Having been given a chance under Carlo Ancelotti last season, the 18-year-old’s first team chances have been rare under Andre Villas-Boas and the chance to play regularly in the top flight at a team where his passing game will fit in will give the midfielder a great platform to show everybody what he is capable of on a weekly basis.
As for the Swans, they have bagged a player that idolises Zidane and Iniesta and is capable of playing inch-perfect passes like his heroes. Like many of the world’s best players now he is small and physically unimposing but his control and vision are all he needs to wreak havoc with defenders. And with the team now renowned for its easy-on-the-eye style but lacking depth it is no surprise that the two decided to come together and it will almost certainly pay dividends.
Last season Daniel Sturridge was in this position, fighting against a brick wall to break into the first team and like McEachran he was sent out on loan to Bolton Wanderers to show what he could do. He took the opportunity with both hands, scoring eight goals in twelve games to light up the second half of the season and since coming back he has been a regular in the starting line-up at Stamford Bridge and currently has more Premier League goals this season than Drogba, Kalou, the impotent Torres and the departed Anelka put together.
If the 18-year-old has a similarly impressive spell at Swansea it could even lead to him being the successor to Frank Lampard. With the relationship between player and manager looking strained there is a gap opening up in the midfield for a youthful replacement. Villas-Boas has already given McEachran hope by saying: “His brain is always five yards ahead of the rest. I see in him very much as part of the future of the club.” And this loan move could bring the transition forward.
Thanks to Rodgers relationship with Chelsea he is the best man for nurturing McEachran. The Northern Irishman knows what will be required to make the grade at Stamford Bridge and he has already shown that he is capable of getting the best out of his players.
Unlike some of the other offers put forward, playing for Swansea will put him in a team that is flying high and full of confidence, something that will help bring out the best of his abilities. It will be tough for him to start every game so he will have to try hard and because of their great start he should be able to play football without the fear of being in a relegation battle so it should let him play with freedom.
With 16 games to go there is plenty of time for McEachran to make an impact and there is nowhere better for him to be. After seeing Sturridge’s sensational spell last season I’m sure that Swansea are set to see their own Chelsea superstar.
Do you think McEachran will shine at Swansea? Tell me on Twitter @jrobbins1991.
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