Carlo Ancelotti predicted big things for the former Chelsea midfielder.Carlo Ancelotti predicted big things for the former Chelsea midfielder.
Carlo Ancelotti predicted big things for the former Chelsea midfielder. | Getty Images
Oxford United have released a former Chelsea and Brentford midfielder following the 2024/25 campaign.
A former Chelsea midfielder once labelled ‘fantastic’ by Carlo Ancelotti has been made a free agent following his release from Championship side Oxford United.
EFL clubs are finalising their retained lists following the end of the 2024/25 campaign with just the play-offs left to play. Ex Blues winger Victor Moses is one of the players released and he is joined by Josh McEachran.
The former Chelsea youngster has been playing his football with Oxford United since 2023, having left Stamford Bridge in 2015. McEachran has made 49 appearances for the U’s but did not see minutes for the side in the league after December last season.
Josh McEachran released by Oxford United
The midfielder managed 22 first team appearances for Chelsea but spent most of his time at the club on loan. Spells at Swansea City, Middlesbrough, Watford, Wigan Athletic and Vitesse came between 2012 and 2015 before a permanent switch to Brentford.
McEachran won the League One play-offs with Oxford United in 2024. A statement from the club on Friday read: “Oxford United have confirmed the list of players to be retained and released following the conclusion of the 2024/25 season. Josh McEachran, Joe Bennett, Max Woltman, Eddie Brearey and George Franklin will depart the Club following the expiration of their contracts this summer.
“McEachran moved to United in 2023 and went on to play 49 times. Another player who contributed at Wembley, the midfielder also featured 12 times in this season’s Championship.”
McEachran began to break into the Chelsea first team under Ancelotti and the former Blues manager had predicted big things for the player. In 2010, the midfielder was 17 years old when he played a key part in helping his side to a 2-1 win over MSK Zilina in the Champions League.
Carlo Ancelotti: McEachran ‘fantastic’ with ball
Speaking after the match, Ancelotti said: “I think Josh McEachran can play every game. He showed his quality. He was good defensively, won a lot of tackles. And, obviously, with the ball he's fantastic.
“He can play it short or long without problem. He played with personality and I'm happy with his performance. He has to grow, he has to improve, but he's ready to play.”
MacEachran has opened up on the testing times of cementing a place in the Chelsea first team and his multiple loan spells. He told 5 Live Sport: “I was bouncing in and out of loans and stuff. I sat down at the beginning of pre-season once - at Chelsea there’s the first team, reserves and this loan group. If you get put in the loan group you’re waiting to go out.
“The first day of pre-season, that’s not a great start. It was when Mourinho was there, I walked in thinking I was going to have a season with the first team and I think of one of the kit men said, ‘Sorry Josh, haven’t you heard? You’re down the corridor in the loan group.’
“I took a pay cut to go to Brentford and get my career back on track. To go to the Championship and enjoy myself again. That was the step I took.”
In other news, Chelsea vs Real Betis Conference League final referee once boycotted fixture.
Continue Reading