341 replies to this topic

[Nibs]

dkw, on 09 February 2011 - 12:48 PM, said:

It might be that I`m just being over worried but I would hate to see us have such an incredible talent only to see him exhausted and injury prone early into his 20`s. He could end up being a player we can build around for many many years and I would prefer we look to that future rather than the next season and a half.

It really is a conundrum.

Do we carry on like we have been and just play him in the odd cup match and keep him involved with the first team squad or do we let him loose but risk burn out?

I would like to say Carlo is playing it right but I can't help feeling, he should be playing him more - especially when the midfield is as dire and uncreative as it was against Liverpool. As others have said, the worst thing that could happen in the summer would be for us to sign another midfielder (a "playmaker" if you like) as that would seriously effect Josh's position and would send out the completely wrong message to him.

Anyway, we won't be able to say he's only 17 for much longer - he'll be 18 next month! I also hear he has a younger brother who is meant to be even better!!

[dkw]

Nibs, on 09 February 2011 - 01:02 PM, said:

It really is a conundrum.

Do we carry on like we have been and just play him in the odd cup match and keep him involved with the first team squad or do we let him loose but risk burn out?

I would like to say Carlo is playing it right but I can't help feeling, he should be playing him more - especially when the midfield is as dire and uncreative as it was against Liverpool. As others have said, the worst thing that could happen in the summer would be for us to sign another midfielder (a "playmaker" if you like) as that would seriously effect Josh's position and would send out the completely wrong message to him.

Anyway, we won't be able to say he's only 17 for much longer - he'll be 18 next month! I also hear he has a younger brother who is meant to be even better!!

It must be hard for a manager like Carlo who needs something to change our fortunes lately but also doesnt want to throw him in too early and ruin him. Does he really have a kid brother who is better? Please tell me we have him signed up.

[ethicalstrategy]

I think he has earned rather more playing time than he is getting. I don't think he ought to be a regular starter yet but I would like to see him get the chance to play behind the front two, either when we have a match sown up or if we are struggling like we were at the weekend. I can't see what harm that would do.

If you are going to have him on the bench then you have to be prepared to play him. Otherwise send him on loan like the others.

[Elliott]

http://www.dailymail...Albrighton.html

[mad_mac]

This is such a great thread for so many reasons.

Firstly, we all agree what an exceptional player we have on our hands (even if we did poach him from Oxford!!!). I really think Josh is a future Chelsea captain, and I am sure many of you do also

Secondly, we all admit that it has to be tought for Carlo to decide how to treat him. Too much cotton wool and a few minutes off the bench may lead our future captain to start looking elsewhere. Or, we play him too much and he's knackered and injured by the time he's in his early 20's and ends up playing for Doncaster.

Either way we look at it, folks, I think we will see McEchran making more and more appearances next season and into the future. He is only 17, so I hope our uper levels of management are continually boosting his confidence by telling him that he is an integral part of Chelsea's future.

I am all for Hamsik, Hazard, or whomever else joining. What i don't want is for those players to join at the expense of McEchran.

Josh McEchran, future Chelsea Captain.


Also, to end all discussion on pronouncing his name. It's Scottish/Irish, and is Pronounced "Mah-kechhhh-rin_ with that middle part being like how us Jocks say Loch.

Scott

[Butch]

I think we're all pretty desperate for him to do well for Chelsea and be that player we all think he could be. And quickly.

That's quite a bit of pressure on the young man's shoulders.

Cheers,

Butch

[rahul]

Sometimes pressure and expectations make a player even better. Depends on how the said player takes so much hype in the early stages of his career.

[coco]

Nurture is not a word the inpatient fan likes to hear, but at 17yo he is has time on his side, so no hurry, let Frank finish his career here, then hopefully by then Josh will have blossomed a little more. If we could get Christian Erikson (18yo) from Ajax on the books our midfield would look very promising for the future.

[Elliott]

I would like to add that he will probably develop into England captain too!

[coco]

Elliott, on 10 February 2011 - 12:17 AM, said:

http://www.dailymail...Albrighton.html

Thaat needs to be quoted..

Quote

Forget Jack Wilshere, Chelsea midfielder Josh McEachran is the real future of England, claims Marc Albrighton

By Laura Williamson Last updated at 2:01 AM on 10th February 2011

Marc Albrighton has hailed 17-year-old Chelsea midfielder Josh McEachran as the future of English football.

McEachran was highly praised by Stuart Pearce after his first England Under 21 start in Tuesday's 1-0 loss to Italy and Aston Villa winger Albrighton was similarly impressed.

The 21-year-old said: 'I've seen him (McEachran) play before and there's something about him.

'He was absolutely superb (on Tuesday). It was about the 85th minute when he first gave ball away. He is just amazing, a superb player.

'What catches the eye is he's just so composed on the ball.

'He is the future of English football, no doubt about it. He has a massive future ahead of him.'

McEachran was a late call up from Noel Blake's Under 19 side, who were beaten 1-0 by Germany in Chesterfield on Tuesday night.

Pearce has indicated he will only take the teenager to this summer's Under 21 European Championships in Denmark if he feels McEachran will be a regular starter in the older age group.

[yorkleyblue]

I don't know if this has been posted before, but I've not seen it previously

The McEachran Position

Makes an interesting read, IMO

[Nibs]

yorkleyblue, on 10 February 2011 - 03:55 PM, said:

I don't know if this has been posted before, but I've not seen it previously

The McEachran Position

Makes an interesting read, IMO

Great find Yorkley - really good read.

I've always seen him as a No. 10.

But seeing that quote from Albrighton above I see he gave the ball away in the 85th minute. sh*t, he's not as good as I thought!

[Randy36]

sizzler85, on 09 February 2011 - 12:40 PM, said:

So if there is a chance that Carlo is ever going to play josh this season or the next , then this is the right moment when we have been hit by injuries and poor form and need a refreshing new player who has got the skills to do it .

I agree.

It's obvious Carlo does not want to put too much pressure on Josh but gradually ease him into the first team. A player of his talent should not go on loan. I believe he's ready to start and would like to see him in the starting lineup against Fulham.

However, I don't see him as a replacement for Mikel but more in an advanced attacking role. I would hope for a 4-3-3 formation with a midfield of Ramires, Mikel and Josh and up front Kalou,Torres and Malouda.

[Barry Bridges]

Sorry Im trying to find the source, but im 99% sure I recently read an interview from a Chelsea insider (as in an actual Chelsea coach/admin employee) saying that Josh was showing so promising that they are looking into loaning him to a BPL club for next season....

[Barry Bridges]

Bah cant find the source, did uncover this gem from Carlo

Quote

‘McEachran is ready to start in the Premier League. He has confidence, personality and he is strong. You look at him and think he won’t be strong in the tackle but he was against Ipswich. He doesn’t lack anything.’

Interview

So Carlo, lets see you back that up!

[rahul]

That interview is dated 15th Jan. If Carlo had to back that up, he would have done it having got so many opportunities.

[Eggy McMuffin]

Barry Bridges, on 10 February 2011 - 11:38 PM, said:

Sorry Im trying to find the source, but im 99% sure I recently read an interview from a Chelsea insider (as in an actual Chelsea coach/admin employee) saying that Josh was showing so promising that they are looking into loaning him to a BPL club for next season....

Wasn't it Arnesen?

[BrewCrew]

The more and and more Carlo talks about Josh, the more I think he sees him playing the holding role. He keeps talking about his tackling ability. I also see him as a player who starts the our attack compared to a number 10 type player. I see Kakuta more of a number 10, but Josh is a guy that can make a pass from anywhere.

[Barry Bridges]

BrewCrew, on 11 February 2011 - 05:55 PM, said:

The more and and more Carlo talks about Josh, the more I think he sees him playing the holding role. He keeps talking about his tackling ability. I also see him as a player who starts the our attack compared to a number 10 type player. I see Kakuta more of a number 10, but Josh is a guy that can make a pass from anywhere.

I see Josh being a midfield General. A box to box like Lampard, but likely with less goals and even more assists! He is out there competeing against people who were pretty much at a pro level when he was born, and yet remains so composedand intelligent on the pitch.......everytime!


Cant describe how excited I am for this lad.

[Eggy McMuffin]

I don't see him being a Lampard type at all.

Josh is far more fluid and fluent on the ball, it just looks natural for him. His passing, vision, and movement, those are his strengths. Without trying to build expectation too much, he's more like Iniesta.