Jordan Houghton is another Chelsea academy product who is widely worried about his future. The 21-year-old has been attached to a number of loan spells before and is currently tied to Doncaster Rovers but is pretty contented about it.
The holding midfielder has reaped up reputations as a reliable figure at the heart of Doncaster’s midfield, making 21 appearances and finding the back of the net once in the process. He commands the tempo of the midfield, recycles the potential threats from opponents into possession and has the ability to play brilliant passes to open up attacking options. However, Houghton will be out of contract with Chelsea at the end of the season and is already scratching his head over his next destination.
“I’d be open to many options but this [signing for Doncaster permanently] would definitely be one,” said the youngster to Doncaster Free Press.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time here.
“I think the main thing is finding a manager that trusts you and I think that is what the manager does here, he trusts me.
Houghton’s concern isn’t something new at Stamford Bridge as many bright prospects of the club are struggling to nab playing time at the parent club. Loan deals aren’t a derailing move but considering the football market today, players at tender ages have been hitting tremendous run at big stages. Plucking out some examples, Celtic’s attacker Moussa Dembele, Bayern Munich’s Renato Sanches and Borussia Dortmund’s sensational winger Christian Pulisic have been playing like seasoned veterans. Thus more young individuals would be fuming at their club for not giving them the much needed playing minutes to prove their worth on the pitch. Especially ones like Jordan Houghton who joined Chelsea’s academy at Under-8.
So it’s pretty evident why he is more than happy to extend his loan period at Keepmoat considering the generous amount of first team action. At his parent club, the roles of holding midfielders are currently anchored by Nemanja Matic and N’golo Kante, two powerhouses that have kept John Obi Mikel warming the bench since the season started. If the youngster gets an extension with Chelsea, he would be keeping an eye to replace the Nigerian, who is frequently linked with a handful of clubs, which include Manchester United.
Doncaster Rovers, on the other hand, are amidst a stiff-neck battle at the top of the League Two with their ideal goal is winning promotion back to League One. If Houghton does get the loan extension that he seeks, and if he helps the club to accomplish their mission, it would be a big stamp on his CV. His most notable point as of now is an FA Youth Cup trophy clinched back in the 2013/2014 campaign.
“In the long run it would definitely be an option if things don’t work out at Chelsea, it would be an option to stay here.”
“I’m still waiting to find out regarding my contract with Chelsea,” added the 21-year-old.
In a bigger picture, a win-win situation would see Chelsea extending his loan spell at Doncaster Rovers and further monitor his influence before lengthening his stay at Stamford Bridge. Other commendable starlets who are working their socks off elsewhere with loan deals are Nathan Ake (Bournemouth), Tammy Abraham (Bristol City), Baba Rahman (Schalke), Kenedy (Watford) and Bertrand Traore (Ajax).