Marcus Chan
A former Chelsea player who went from playing in the Champions League to now being homeless has spoken about the drastic downfall of his career.
Jacob Mellis started his football career with the Stamford Bridge club and made his Chelsea debut in the Champions League against Slovakian side MSK Zilina.
However, despite his obvious talent, Mellis failed to live up to the expectation.
Now aged 32, he is no longer a footballer and is now homeless.
Speaking to Daily Mail, Mellis spoke about the downfall of his career.
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He said: “I spend each day just thinking about where to go really. I have family but I don’t really want to rely on them. I want to try to do stuff for myself. It’s been difficult. I try not to think about it too much. I just try and get on with it.
“They just want the best for me. They try to help me as much as they can. Obviously, they’ve got their own lives. They get me hotels, or I can stay at their house sometimes.
“From day to day nothing is settled. You think it can never happen to you. I didn’t plan on retiring. It’s difficult.”
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Mellis’ playing days were cut short after he suffered a knee injury last year whilst playing for Southend.
But the former player has stated that alcohol and nights out were his main problems.
He added: “Throughout my career it’s been a thing that’s caused me problems. When you’re drinking you’re not in control of what you’re doing.
“It affects training, managers wouldn’t be happy. I remember I turned up one time to training drunk. I would’ve been 19. Steve Holland [Chelsea’s assistant coach] sent me in. There’s been a few occasions where it has affected me.
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“David Luiz didn’t speak too much English, but when we’d be warming up he’d [mimics sniffing his breath] “Hey, have you been drinking?’”. He would say stop [wags his finger]. Like that.”
Mellis continued: “Dermot Drummy [Chelsea’s former academy manager] gave me a mentor, Ashley Cole, to stop me from going out and to talk to me. So people did try, I can’t lie.
“I was cocky back then, arrogant. I felt like I should be playing. I feel like it is a good thing if it’s channelled in the right way. But I don’t think I channelled it in the right way.
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“If I wasn’t picked or was feeling frustrated I would just go out, go drinking. You’re not messing Chelsea up, you’re messing yourself up.”