“I’ve heard”: Arsenal starlet reveals the reason why Chelsea turned him down

Arsenal starlet Emile Smith Rowe had a chance to join Chelsea

Speaking to the Daily Mail (h/t football.london), Arsenal midfielder, Emile Smith Rowe, revealed that he was deemed too small to join Chelsea after he had a trial with the Blues.

The 20-year-old attacking midfielder has made quite a name for himself this season. He has 4 league assists already and has become a regular fixture in the Arsenal matchday squads. (h/t transfermarkt)

But things could have turned out differently had the Chelsea scouts not turn him down due to his size. He later went to join Arsenal, of course; the club he says he has been supporting as a child.

“I trialled at Chelsea and didn’t get in. Something about me not being big enough, I’ve heard. But Arsenal found out and picked me up.”

Probably for the best

He also had interest from London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur. But he said that temptation to join his childhood club was too good to resist.

“Tottenham showed interest but I stood by Arsenal. They’re my club.”

Maybe it happened for the best as Smith Rowe could have struggled to get into this Chelsea side. The Blues midfield is loaded as it is, with youngster Billy Gilmour one of the players struggling to get game-time.

But Chelsea are a hub for young English talent. Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount, and Reece James are all examples of talent coming through the academy and Smith Rowe could have been amongst them.

But Thomas Tuchel has a young attacking midfielder of his own. Frank Lampard, when he was the manager of the club, signed Kai Havertz from Bundesliga for a fee potentially rising up to £90m.

More Chelsea News:

• Thomas Tuchel has talked to Tammy Abraham about his situation at Chelsea
• Thomas Tuchel feels Billy Gilmour should be picked for Scotland
• Chelsea want new centre-back next season, three names shortlisted

But he has failed to light up Stamford Bridge since his summer transfer. The German gaffer would hope that the 21-year-old midfielder finds his feet soon and reproduces his Bayer Leverkusen days soon.