logo
Former Chelsea star, 32, once labelled next Luka Modric wakes up unemployed after release by Championship club

Former Chelsea star, 32, once labelled next Luka Modric wakes up unemployed after release by Championship club

Scottish Sun16-05-2025

The 32-year-old was tipped to become a key player for Chelsea
RELEASE DATE Former Chelsea star, 32, once labelled next Luka Modric wakes up unemployed after release by Championship club
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
JOSH MCEACHRAN has woken up unemployed following Oxford United's brutal end-of-season cull.
The former Chelsea star, who was once compared to Luka Modric, joined the U's in the summer of 2023 on a one-year deal following the expiration of his contract with MK Dons.
3
Josh McEachran has been released by Championship side Oxford United
Credit: GETTY
3
The former Chelsea midfielder spent two seasons with the U's
Credit: GETTY
He inked a second-straight one-year deal with the club following the culmination of the 2023/24 season.
But the U's brass have opted NOT to hand the Oxford-born midfielder a new deal following their first season back in the Championship in 25 years.
An excerpt of a club statement read: "Oxford United have confirmed the list of players to be retained and released following the conclusion of the 2024/25 season.
"Josh McEachran, Joe Bennett, Max Woltman, Eddie Brearey and George Franklin will depart the Club following the expiration of their contracts this summer."
READ MORE CHELSEA NEWS
BLUE BEAUTY £52m Chelsea flop 'could be handed shock lifeline by champions Liverpool'
Oxford's Head of Football Operations, Ed Waldron, said of the departures: 'I would like to offer my thanks to each of the players departing the Club.
'Both Joe Bennett and Josh McEachran have played important roles in the progression of Oxford United over the last few years, helping to deliver promotion and then stabilise the Club in the Championship.
'Their quality and experience have been crucial in our development, and I'm certain both will be real assets to whichever club they continue their fantastic careers with.
'Max Woltman has been through an incredibly difficult period with the Club due to injury.
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS
3
Josh McEachran was once tipped to become a big star at Chelsea
Credit: ACTION IMAGES
"Despite this, he has been an extremely popular figure at the Training Ground, and I want to wish him and the rest all the best going forward.
'The recruitment process has been in motion for several months for the upcoming 2025/26 season.
Cole Palmer eats sandwich and ketchup as Brit music legend makes cameo in brilliant Chelsea kit release video
"We will continue to look at ways to improve the squad to build on what was a successful first campaign back in the Championship.'
McEachran has bounced from club to club after leaving Chelsea in the summer of 2015 following FIVE loan moves in five years.
Many at Stamford Bridge had high hopes for the midfielder, who made 22 appearances for the club, including former manager Andre Villas-Boas.
In August 2011, the Portuguese gaffer said of McEachran: 'This is a youngster with so much talent.
"Physique-wise, there is nothing to him at the moment.
"In the changing room you see him getting ready to go and train and he looks nothing like a footballer.
"His power and pace is in his head. But you could say the same about Luka Modric, Jack Wilshere or Samir Nasri.
" All are built with slight ­physiques but they are all among the finest ­midfield players in the world.
"Josh is going that way. His brain is always five yards ahead of the rest.
"I see in him very much as part of the future of this club.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Abramovich hopes for 'proper goodbye'
Abramovich hopes for 'proper goodbye'

BBC News

time11 minutes ago

  • BBC News

Abramovich hopes for 'proper goodbye'

Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich says he wants to return to Stamford Bridge for "a proper goodbye", in his first interview since sanctions forced him to sell the club in oligarch, who the UK Government allege has strong links to Russian president Vladimir Putin, has not spoken since the sale of Chelsea and his last known interview was with Forbes in March an interview in Abu Dhabi in February for the book "Sanctioned" by Nick Purewal, Abramovich ruled out re-investing in Chelsea or, indeed, any other football club. But he said he wants to return to Stamford Bridge someday. "Perhaps one day there would be a situation where I could attend a match and say a proper goodbye, but nothing more than that," he is quoted as saying. He added: "I don't have any interest in any role in a football club, certainly not a professional role."Abramovich also says he still wants a resolution to the war in Ukraine, insisting his efforts to act as a peacekeeper in talks in Turkey in 2022 were is the first time he has spoken since he sold Chelsea for £2.5bn to Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, who have overseen two underwhelming years before finishing fourth this season to qualify for the Champions League and winning the Conference League. Boehly, who also part-owns successful baseball franchise the LA Dodgers and basketball team the LA Lakers, said in the book: "If you look at our ambitions for the Dodgers and for the Lakers, you're here to win, and it's our business to win; and we're doing everything we can do to win. "Our goal with Chelsea is also to win silverware, because we know, and I know, how much it means to the fans. It makes you appreciate again that sport makes people happy, especially when you win. And Chelsea is supposed to win. "But I really believe that sustained success is an investment, and no matter what business I'm in, or any industry, there are no shortcuts."Meanwhile, Abramovich's comments have emerged just a week after the UK government threatened to sue him, with proceeds from the sale of the club still stuck in a frozen bank account. The UK government wants the money to be for Ukrainian humanitarian aid, but "all victims of the war in Ukraine".Chelsea are also under investigation by the Premier League for alleged irregular payments from Abramovich-era transfer activity.

Man City agree to sign Chelsea star, 33, who hasn't played in three years in shock transfer for Club World Cup
Man City agree to sign Chelsea star, 33, who hasn't played in three years in shock transfer for Club World Cup

Scottish Sun

timean hour ago

  • Scottish Sun

Man City agree to sign Chelsea star, 33, who hasn't played in three years in shock transfer for Club World Cup

The keeper hasn't played in the Premier League in nearly eight years ALL BETTS ARE OFF ALL BETTS ARE OFF Man City agree to sign Chelsea star, 33, who hasn't played in three years in shock transfer for Club World Cup Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MANCHESTER CITY are on the verge of signing a forgotten Chelsea star who hasn't played in THREE YEARS. The Sky Blues are in the market for a new third-choice goalkeeper following the news of Scott Carson's imminent Etihad departure. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Manchester City third-choice keeper Scott Carson will leave the Etihad at the end of the month Credit: REX 3 City are set to replace the outgoing Carson with Chelsea's Marcus Bettinelli Credit: GETTY They've set their sights on former England Under-21 international and Chelsea benchwarmer Marcus Bettinelli. And according to Fabrizio Romano, the 33-year-old is on the verge of moving to the Etihad. He wrote on X: "Marcus Bettinelli leaves Chelsea and joins Manchester City as [their] new third goalkeeper. "Green light also from the player who will travel to the FIFA Club World Cup. Here we go." READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS MIC DROP Michael Carrick lands new job after Middlesbrough axe as John O'Shea joins him Bettinelli hasn't played a single minute of first-team football since Chelsea's FA Cup third-round tie with Chesterfield in January 2022. And the veteran keeper's last Premier League appearance took place just shy of a DECADE ago. Bettinelli, who was once tipped to be a fully-fledged England international, hasn't played in the top-flight in nearly EIGHT years. He made his last Prem appearance against Cardiff back in October 2018 while he was still plying his trade with Fulham. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 3 Marcus Bettinelli hasn't played Premier League football in nearly eight years Credit: PA And it was a nightmare of a day for the keeper as he conceded four times in a 4-2 defeat to the Bluebirds. Bettinelli is unlikely to be thrown into first-team action barring injury to City's first and second-choice stoppers, Ederson and Stefan Ortega. Scott Carson's glittering trophy cabinet He'll be hoping to have similar success as City's third-choice keeper as Carson did. In his 11 years at the Etihad, Carson made two appearances for the club and bagged a second Champions League winners' medal in the 2022/23 season.

‘Fighter' Nico Raskin hailed again as Rangers hero brings curtain down on campaign with crucial cameo in big Belgium win
‘Fighter' Nico Raskin hailed again as Rangers hero brings curtain down on campaign with crucial cameo in big Belgium win

Scottish Sun

timean hour ago

  • Scottish Sun

‘Fighter' Nico Raskin hailed again as Rangers hero brings curtain down on campaign with crucial cameo in big Belgium win

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RANGERS hero Nico Raskin was hailed by boss Rudi Garcia after his introduction helped power Belgium to a thrilling 4-3 win over Wales. The French-born gaffer held the Ibrox hero in reserve for the clash against Craig Bellamy's side and it looked like an easy end to the season for him as the Belgians coasted into a 3-0 lead in Brussels. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 2 Nico Raskin celebrates with Alexis Saelemaekers and Youri Tielemans Credit: Getty 2 Raskin in action Credit: Getty Romelu Lukaku, Youri Tielemans and Jeremy Doku all netted as the hosts ran riot in the opening half and hour. But Harry Wilson's penalty in added time in first half changed the complexion of the game. And then a spirited Wales side came roaring back through Sorba Thomas and Brennan Johnson to level with 20 minutes left. It was then that Raskin entered the fray for Dodi Lukebakio, making an instant impact with a cynical yellow card for hauling back Thomas. He thought he had a hand in the winner but Lukaku's 'goal' was ruled out for a lengthy VAR check. But a stellar campaign ended in another win when Kevin de Bruyne popped up in the 89th minute as Belgium recorded the win which is massive in the context of their World Cup qualifying group. Raskin's long term Ibrox future, of course, is a source of uncertainty - with the Gers desperate to either get him to prolong his stay or cash in on a player before he enters the final year of his deal. But performances like these on the international stage won't do anyone any harm. Garcia said afterwards: "Nicolas Raskin's entry was important because we needed fighters on the pitch. "To give away a lead like that, I don't know if it's something mentally, but I'll talk with the players. Rangers boss Barry Ferguson reveals why he's 'had a few arguments' with Ibrox ace Nicolas Raskin "They have showed that they know what to do in the first half. Now, they just need to keep that up for 90 minutes." And Belgian fans were loving his contribution, particularly when it comes to interceptions. One wrote: "Nicolas Raskin in 4 matches with the Red Devils is: "223 minutes on the pitch 1 goal conceded "163 minutes on the bench 6 goals conceded." Next up for Raskin and Belgium is the Liechtenstein team which Scotland made light work of last night. Another man on the Rangers payroll, Welsh winger Rabbi Matondo, entered the fray in the dying minutes. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store