Former Chelsea starlet Josh McEachran has claimed that at one stage in his career, he was subject to offers from Manchester United and Real Madrid.
The 23-year old was a hot prospect at Stamford Bridge a few years back and was touted as being the perfect replacement for Frank Lampard after coming through the ranks.
But as with a lot of youngsters who come through Premier League academies, after his first-team debut in 2010, McEachran was farmed out on loan on several occasions, with spells at Swansea, Middlesbrough, Watford, Wigan and Vitesse Arnhem - Chelsea's feeder club of sorts.
Advert
He then signed permanently with Championship side Brentford in 2015 but things could have turned out much differently, according to the player himself.
The midfielder says that when he was in the Chelsea youth set-up, Manchester United and Real Madrid were in for him.
Speaking to The Telegraph, he said:
Advert
"I was 16, at Chelsea, and my agent at the time said: 'Real Madrid want you'. It's unbelievable, isn't it? At that age.
"I had the chance to go to Real Madrid or Man United. Real Madrid had the contract waiting for me and they wanted all my family to fly over but I said: 'No, I want to stay at Chelsea'.
"I was a Chelsea fan. I just knew, I just believed in myself that I was going to make it . Under Carlo [Ancelotti], when I made my debut I was like, saying to myself 'ah, that was a good choice for me to say no to Real Madrid' but looking back now maybe I should have (gone)!"
It just shows how quickly things can change for a young player. Though playing in a competitive league like the Championship is nothing to be ashamed of, McEachran could be in a much better position had things been different.
Advert
Hindsight is a great thing.
(h/t Squawka)
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Manchester United, Chelsea FC, Real Madrid