Photo by Adam Fradgley/West Bromwich Albion FC via Getty Images
Photo by Adam Fradgley/West Bromwich Albion FC via Getty Images
Chelsea have been known for a transfer mistake or two over the years.
Chelsea’s habit of letting top-tier talent walk out the door has come back to haunt them time and after time.
Looking back at the Blues’ academy setup, releasing a young Declan Rice now feels like a massive misstep given his rise, while losing Jamal Musiala to Bayern Munich saw one of Europe’s brightest playmakers slip right through their hands.
Chelsea v Luton Town - Carabao Cup Second Round
Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images
It hasn’t been much different at the senior level either. Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah were both shown the door after barely getting a real look, only to go on and completely redefine the Premier League with City and Liverpool.
Add in homegrown defenders like Marc Guehi and Nathan Ake thriving elsewhere, and the list of ones that got away keeps getting longer.
Jimmy-Jay Morgan scores again for West Brom
Jimmy-Jay Morgan left Chelsea for West Bromwich Albion in an initial £1.3 million deal that could reach £4 million with performance-related add-ons.
Seeking a pathway to senior football, the 20-year-old striker signed a four-year contract, with Chelsea retaining a sell-on clause for future transfers.
Since joining West Bromwich Albion in July, Jimmy-Jay Morgan has made an immediate impact. Across all competitions, the striker has bagged 4 goals and provided 2 assists, including a two-goal performance in the EFL Cup against Rotherham and registering crucial goal involvements in early Championship fixtures.
His latest came for West Brom this afternoon against an impressive Middlesbrough side, who ended up beating the Baggies 3-1 at the Riverside.
Chelsea sadly had to pass on Jimmy-Jay Morgan
Chelsea’s stacked attack made breaking through nearly impossible for Jimmy-Jay Morgan.
With Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, Morgan Rogers, Joao Pedro, Emanuel Emegha, Danny Welbeck, Jamie Gittens and Mykhailo Mudryk, and Willian Estevao in attacking areas, his pathway to opportunities were non-existent for the academy striker.
The Championship gives Morgan a good test at 20 years of age, with the potential to play in the Premier League in the future.