It was playing out to be the perfect summer for Jay Dasilva – tantalisingly close to going to the World Cup and stepping up to the Premier League.
Unfortunately for the Coventry City full-back the first big ambition fell short when Wales lost out to Bosnia-Herzegovina during the international break.
On his return to Ryton the former Chelsea prospect had to quickly re-adjust, put the disappointment aside and concentrate on the task in hand at club level by helping the Sky Blues get over the promotion line to secure a second chance of proving himself in highest league in the land.
“That initial disappointment was a little bit tough,” said the 27-year-old defender, reflecting on last month’s 1-1 extra-time draw at the Cardiff City Stadium that ended with the heartbreak of losing 4-2 on penalties to deny Craig Bellamy’s men a place in the summer finals in North America.
FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK!Get more Coventry City news and analysis via our FB page
There was no time to wallow in self pity, however, with Dasilva swiftly turning his attention to domestic matters with another big three points up for grabs against Derby County on Good Friday.
“I think it’s helped me a lot having something to focus back onto coming back into the group where everyone is just so laser focussed and ready to get the job done and tackle what’s coming our way,” he said.
“So I think it’s really helped me to switch my focus.”
Dasilva started out at his home town club Luton but moved to Chelsea’s academy at the age of 13, quickly establishing himself as a bright prospect of the youth set-up, going on to make 23 appearances for the youth team, including scoring in the 2013–14 FA Youth Cup final first leg against Fulham.
Chelsea's Jay Dasilva celebrates with the trophy after winning the FA Youth Cup Final
Jay Dasilva celebrates with the trophy after winning the FA Youth Cup Final with Chelsea back in 2015
During his second full season with the under-18s, Dasilva won the 2014–15 FA Youth Cup, as well as the 2014–15 UEFA Youth League. He signed his first professional contract in July 2015, having forced himself into the Blues’ under-21 side, and became one of the only players in history to win three FA Youth Cups, alongside teammate and ex-Sky Blues loan man Jake Clarke-Salter and five of the famed Busby Babes.
But like countless prospects before him, and since, he was unable to bridge the gap to first team football at the highest level and had to drop back down to work his way back up, first joining Charlton Athletic on loan for 18 months in League One where, coincidentally, he played in the 1-1 Ricoh Arena draw on this day (April 14) in 2017 that condemned Coventry to relegation to League Two.
Coventry City v Charlton Athletic in the sky bet league 1 match at the Ricoh Arena, with George Thomas and Jay Dasilva
Jay Dasilva played on loan for Charlton in the 1-1 draw against Coventry City on this day (April 14) 2017 that confirmed the Sky Blues relegation to League Two. He's pictured here being challenged by George Thomas.
A loan deal at Championship Bristol City followed in 2018 before the marauding left-back upgraded to a permanent contract the following summer, cutting the apron strings with Stamford Bridge and ending his ambitions of playing for the London club in the Premier League.
Now, some seven years later, he’s heading for the top flight with Coventry City whose return to the big time will be confirmed with one more point on the board, albeit they’re virtually guaranteed a top two finish by virtue of a plus 33 goal difference over Millwall.
So does it feel like a second chance?
“I haven’t really thought about it like that, to be honest with you,” he said. “Maybe, I guess, but if I was to think back to being a young player trying to achieve that dream, it didn’t necessarily seem that reachable.
“I don’t know if that’s just me in that moment not having the self belief or whatever, so it just didn’t feel reachable at that time and therefore I had to change my journey and go on a different path. But it’s always been a dream of mine, obviously, to play in the Premier League.”
It must have been a difficult period leaving a big club like Chelsea, particularly as a young player, and the realisation that he wasn’t going to make it there.
“Yeah, I think a lot of young players go through it and yes, it’s difficult to deal with it,” he said, “but I am the type of person who just says, what’s next for me, what can I do to get back on the horse?”
Presumably it will make him even more determined to make a success of next season when he’ll be hoping to compete with some of the best players in the world on a weekly basis?
“Yeah, for sure,” he agreed. “I’m really determined to get the job done this season, to be honest. I think that’s just been the overriding kind of feeling this year, just pure determination, focus and motivation to get promotion and to win the league. And yeah, to be in the Premier League next season.”
Having signed a new contract extension at the CBS Arena in February, Dasilva is clearly rated by head coach Frank Lampard, who said of the player: “He’s been remarkably consistent over the course of the season and my gut instinct is that Jay gets overlooked, for whatever reason, regarding the bigger picture about outstanding full-backs in this league.
“We appreciate how good a footballer he is, how good he is at so many things. He’s kept his place ahead of Jake Bidwell and (Miguel) Brau, both of whom are training well and trying to get in. But I have picked him through his consistency.
“He’s been going off to Wales and playing because he’s pushed himself into that starting 11, so I’m more than happy with Jay. And obviously it was only a couple of months ago that he signed that new long-term deal here.”
Asked if he sees him as a player for the future at the club, the head coach added: “Yeah sure, he’s signed the new deal and he’s playing great.”
There will, inevitably, be some of the existing squad that fall by the wayside, unable to make the jump up. Asked if it’s a big challenge for himself and his teammates to test themselves, Dasilva said: “Yeah, it’s a big step but it’s where everyone wants to play. For most of the boys it’s everyone’s dream so it’s exciting and yeah, something we’re looking forward to, fingers crossed.”
In the meantime Dasilva is left to reflect on two huge moments in his career, being so close to going to a World Cup and fulfilling a dream of being a fully fledged Premier League player.
“Yeah massive, and it would have been potentially the perfect year and perfect summer with promotion and then my first World Cup,” he said.
“It would have been a dream come true but you can’t always get everything how you want it. But hopefully I can sacrifice a World Cup this time for a promotion and a league title.”
How many of the current Sky Blues squad do you think can step up to the Prem? Click HERE to have your say.
Get the latest Coventry City headlines sent straight to your phone
Get the latest Coventry City news sent straight to your phone by joining our Sky Blues WhatsApp group. It's a free service. You just need WhatsApp on your phones to participate. To join, just click here, select 'Join Community' and you're in. If you later decide to leave our community, you can do so by clicking on the name at the top of your screen and clicking 'Exit Group'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you are curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Every day, the CoventryLive football desk strive to deliver all manner of news, features and transfer-related stories as a part of our overall package of Coventry City content.
Our dedicated reporter Andy Turner - who you can follow on X - follows the Sky Blues home and away and offers you comprehensive coverage from matchdays, press conferences and everything that happens in between.
So much happens day to day and sometimes you can struggle to keep on top of the very latest updates as and when they occur - that's why we have produced a daily newsletter which you can sign up to, for free, and which means you'll have a round-up of the key stories land in your email inbox. You can also get all your favourite content from CoventryLive's Sky Blues team on WhatsApp. Sign up f or breaking updates about the biggest stories in and around the club.