Latest news with #JoshMcEachran
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
England and Aston Villa star makes surprise visit to Oxford school
OLLIE Watkins made a surprise visit at an Oxford school as he backed a new education academy set up by Josh McEachran. The two players were in the same Brentford team between 2017 and 2019, and formed a lasting friendship which exists to this day. At a launch event for the Josh McEachran Education Academy, the midfielder brought out Watkins as a special guest at Wychwood School. Only six players have scored more Premier League goals this season than Aston Villa striker Watkins, who grabbed the late winner when England beat the Netherlands in the semi-finals of Euro 2024 last summer. READ ALSO: Midfielder hoping to unearth next Oxford gem with education academy He enjoyed a kickabout and Q&A session, and lent his support to the new academy, which will provide a football education programme for 16-19-year-olds and allow students to gain the equivalent of three A levels and earn up to 168 UCAS points. The programme will start in September and operate from Wychwood in Banbury Road. Watkins told this newspaper: 'When I joined Brentford, Josh welcome me with open arms and took me under his wing a little bit. 'Our friendship has spiralled on from there. We're very close. Our families meet up and we've got a good relationship, and it's nice to see he's doing this to help out. 'He's giving a lot of young kids an opportunity to go on to the next thing in their career if they're not going to make it in football. 'I think what he's doing is really good, and that's why I've come down here to support him. 'Education is massive, and the fact they're tying both in together is amazing. I did a BTEC course when I was at college myself, and it gives you something else to fall back on. It's nice to have that on the side.' CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE OXFORD MAIL ONLINE (Image: Newsquest) Wychwood headteacher Jane Evans added: 'It goes right back into the roots of the school. We set out as a school 127 years ago to meet the needs of pupils in Oxford that aren't being met by other schools and other groups. 'This is a really brilliant opportunity for people who are passionate about sport to still carry on their education post-16, and go with the right tools whether they want to go into medicine or being a professional footballer, or any work associated with that. 'One of the things we say is we're really authentic, and I think to be authentic in education is quite hard at the moment. 'We want to very much have pupils who are really down to earth and are prepared for life, and this is what Josh wants. It was a natural alignment of all our values.'
Scottish Sun
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Former Chelsea star, 32, once labelled next Luka Modric wakes up unemployed after release by Championship club
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.'
The Irish Sun
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Former Chelsea star, 32, once labelled next Luka Modric wakes up unemployed after release by Championship club
JOSH MCEACHRAN has woken up unemployed following Oxford United's brutal end-of-season cull. The former to 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. " summer ." READ MORE CHELSEA NEWS 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. Most read in Football 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.'
The Sun
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Former Chelsea star, 32, once labelled next Luka Modric wakes up unemployed after release by Championship club
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 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." 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 "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.'
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
McEachran and Bennett leave Oxford, Placheta stays
Oxford United have announced that Josh McEachran and Joe Bennett will leave the club this summer following the expiration of their contracts. They have also triggered an extension to winger Przemysław Płacheta's deal for a further year. Placheta has been a key member of Gary Rowett's side this season, making 32 appearances with six goal contributions in the Bennett, 35, started in the U's League One play-off final win against Bolton Wanderers last year and made 12 appearances this McEachran, 32, moved to United in 2023 and went on to feature for them 49 times, also featuring in their Wembley final last U's have taken up the option of a one-year extension for Gatlin O'Donkor, whilst also offering the forward a new long-term deal. Also leaving Oxford are young attacker Max Woltman, goalkeeper Eddie Brearey and midfielder George 21, leaves after playing three times for the U's across two Wycombe and Hull keeper Matt Ingram, 31, has been offered a new contract and professional deals have been offered to Monty Marriott, Zaide Took-Oxley, Kasway Burton, and Aaron Lacey.
