Chelsea's Josh McEachran joins Middlesbrough on loan

• England U21 midfielder to spend season at Middlesbrough
• Roberto Di Matteo says Josh McEachran needs more action

by Louise Taylor 9 months ago

Josh McEachran is poised to make his debut for Middlesbrough in Tuesday's Championship game against Burnley at the Riverside after arriving from Chelsea on a season long loan.

Regarded as one of the country's brightest midfield talents, the 19-year-old England Under-21 international was voted Chelsea's young player of the season in 2010-11 but made just five appearances, including two starts, during a loan spell at Swansea last season.

"Josh is a great talent," said Roberto Di Matteo, the Chelsea manager. "But his career has somehow stalled a bit." The Stamford Bridge coaching staff hope that playing regularly under Boro's manager Tony Mowbray will put McEachran's game back on track.

Both clubs confirmed on Monday morning that the 19-year-old England Under-21 international would spend this campaign at the Riverside Stadium.

"He came on to the scene very, very early, very young, and I think it's part of a player's development and a young player's career as well that you have ups and downs and you learn all the time," sadi Di Matteo.

"With Josh now, I think the best solution for him would be to look to play, maybe go out on loan and play and get into that rhythm of playing games every week and get back the level that he was when he first broke through to the first team here."