Josh McEachran reveals past Real Madrid interest after leaving Chelsea
Josh McEachran will be playing in the Championship for Brentford next season after leaving Chelsea, but the midfielder could’ve been plying his trade with La Liga giants Real Madrid at this time had he accepted their offer when he was young, according to the Daily Mail.
The 22-year-old left his boyhood club after 15 years to play regular first-team football at the Griffin Park, and reflected on his experience at Chelsea, while also divulging details about how the Los Blancos almost managed to convince him to move to Madrid.
“I was 15 or 16 at the time and Chelsea offered me a very good contract.” he said.
“But Real showed interest in me and were going to fly my family out to Spain. And when Real Madrid want to sign you then it is very tempting. But in the end I chose to stay at Chelsea because they were my team and I had been there since such a young age.”
The Englishman is excited about the prospects of regular football in the Championship, and thinks that the decision to leave Stamford Bridge is the right one.
“I think it's going to be good for me to be away from Chelsea. It's a chance for me to settle at a club and play some games,” he said. “The Chelsea badge has been taken off me now so there is not as much pressure because they are one of the biggest clubs in the world.”
He added: “Now I am at Brentford, there is still a lot of pressure because the expectations are so big, but I am excited to be here and looking forward to just playing football.”
Being yet another Chelsea academy product who could not establish himself in the squad, McEachran agrees with the fact that it is harder than ever to break into the first team, although he talked up Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s chances of making it.
“The last player to come through was John Terry but a few have been getting a sniff like Ruben and there are a few that have gone on the pre-season tour this season. But it is a lot harder than it was a few years ago with all the money involved and stuff but if you are good enough you will have to play.”
“You just need the manager to trust you and rely on you. But the youngsters coming through at the moment definitely have a chance.”
He also offered some advice to the upcoming Chelsea talent, saying: “The advice I would give is you haven't done anything until you're at JT's level. With all the trophies, caps for England so if you are a 17-year-old lad going on pre-season you haven't really done anything. You just need to strive to what the others are doing.”