Josh McEachran! Will I ever stop talking about him? He’s the star in the making. He’s the future of Chelsea FC. He’s so good that there’s no reason why he can’t be the present as well. I’ve been a huge supporter of the idea of playing Josh and the other kids too.

Josh in particular has got me mesmerised. He’s a fantastic player. With every opportunity he was given – be it in youth, reserves, first team, England U17 or U21, he has shown what he’s capable of. He’s the kind of player that we don’t have in our squad and I strongly believe that he should get maximum playing time subject to fitness.

I’m turning this into a campaign. Support the campaign if you also think Josh deserves a chance. I think he deserves a chance because he’s brilliant and our midfield now sucks anyway. I’m planning to take this ‘Play Josh’ campaign in Twitter as well.

Message to Carlo – If you want a W, bring on McE 46. Here we go!

Stuart Pearce:

Chelsea think extremely highly of him and you can see why. He’s got the ability and the vision that you know, if players run off of him, he’s got the ability to find them with passes. All of our cutting passes probably came from him. (Henri) Lansbury has got the benefit of that insight to play those passes but I think, in Josh, he’s got a really outstanding talent, similar to Wilshere, and it bodes well for us.

Richard Williams ‘The Guardian’:

McEachran saw a lot of the ball, sending it on its way with a lovely instinct for angles and a touch that subtly injects pace and dictates the initial rhythm of every move. You can’t teach that. He also has quick feet in a tight corner and a way of accepting the ball on the half-turn, like Paul Scholes, that makes it harder for him to be dispossessed on the first touch, despite his slight build

Frank Lampard:

With young Josh coming into midfield it is quite a nice responsibility. He is going to be a top player and it is enjoyable to try to help him. I enjoy playing with the young players because they bring a real freshness into the team and into training. Josh has outstanding ability so although I talk to him to try to help him, probably very soon he will be helping me.

Ron ‘Chopper’ Harris:

Josh is one of the brightest prospects I’ve seen for quite some time. Provided he keeps his feet on the ground I think he’s got a fantastic future with Chelsea. He has done tremendously well. He is a very confident lad on the ball, seems to have two good feet and knows when to play the ball and when to hold it. I’ve heard one or two people say he’s an Alan Hudson-type of player. The games I’ve seen him in he has played in the holding role but some people tell me he is best going forward so it will be interesting to see him in that position.

Jason Cundy:

I coached Josh for two years at Under-11s and Under-12s at Chelsea and he always stood out for his ability. But he is tough and has had the mental strength to be able to come through as well. He doesn’t get overawed in situations and has taken it all in his stride. There is a responsibility for the club to protect him, but he is a very grounded boy. He is not one of those players where it is going to go to his head. He has been at Chelsea since he was eight years old and a very stable relationship has been built up. They will shelter him and will do it in their own way.

I think Josh could be very good. He was with us in pre-season and I am quite close to him. He is a quiet lad but really wants to learn. Once he gets on the field, he has amazing ability and can open defences with a pass. You could see against Newcastle that he changed the game. He wanted the ball and for a young player to do that was great to see. When I was coming through as a young lad it was a case of hiding a little bit and feeling your way into the game, but young players like Josh are demanding the ball, they want to make a difference and make an impact.

Sir Trevor Brooking:

In the 17s we have a couple of really good creative players. Josh McEachran, the left-sided Chelsea lad, is really creative and can play in the hole. The 17s are the best passing group we have. You could put them in a European team’s shirt and you wouldn’t know which country they were from. They weigh the ball, play it wide, are comfortable to keep it in tight areas, build from the back and beat Spain in the final of the Euros.

Salomon Kalou:

He is very good. He played a different position (against Zilina), and he showed he still had the skill and experience. Playing with him and training we enjoy his quality and skill, and I think there is still a lot to see from him. He can be one of those great, great players that every team wants to have. He has the quality and the ability to do it. He shows it in training every day, so he deserves to be in the team I think. This was the day to have his chance and to show everybody that he can play with the team. It is good for him, I think: it is good starting. There is a lot to come, and the way he is working right now – that is how you get into the team and you have your chance.

Ray Wilkins:

This spindly little kid got on the ball and had a little shimmy and stuck the ball inside the full-back. I turned to Neil and said, ‘My God, it’s Liam Brady!’ I couldn’t have paid him a bigger compliment. He’s got that range of passing and he can play it early. He doesn’t need time on the ball because he’s seen the picture before. And he’s come on in leaps and bounds. Against Marseille I thought he had a terrific game – particularly for one so young in a wonderful footballing arena.

Carlo Ancelotti:

My job is to choose the best team to play the game.Maybe sometimes there are some players who are not in good condition to play. This does not mean they are not important. I had some fantastic players in the past and they did not play every game. McEachran is ready to start in the Premier League. He has confidence, personality and he is strong. You look at him and think he won’t be strong in the tackle but he was against Ipswich. He doesn’t lack anything.

BlueChampion:

Carlo! You say he’s ready to start. You say he doesn’t lack anything. You know our midfield now sucks. Why don’t you play Josh then?