Jamal Blackman has got the gloves on

Jamal Blackman is seen as a future Premier League goalkeeper even if he is still young. He joined Chelsea in 2006 at U13 level. He is a product of the blues academy.The 23 year-old has been at the club since he was a kid and is still on contract. He progressed through the youth system from U13 to U21. 

First team goalkeeping coach, Christophe Lollichon decided to put him in the first team squad as third goalkeeper in 2011-2012 alongside Petr Cech and Ross Turnbull. Blackman was part of the team for the Champions league final in 2012. The frenchman has always truly believed that Jamal could make it to the Premier League as number one. He has always pushed him to go further and Blackman always mention his coach. 

With apps for English youth teams, fans expected to see him on the pitch more often. Quite impossible with goalkeepers such as Cech or Courtois. However coaches decided to keep him as third goalkeeper against his goalkeeping coach decision. Blackman played few months for Middlesbrough in 2014-2015 but was recalled again by Chelsea. Last season, he has grabbed the limelight while playing on loan for Swedish side Ostersunds FK. He gained first-team experience and pleased his coaches back at Chelsea.

The promisingly goalkeeper was shipped out on loan to Wycombe in the summer. He has produced many eye-catching display with the League two club. Statistics speak for themselves : 21 apps, 10 clean sheets. Wycombe's coach recently said to the Daily Star Sunday: « Jamal will play in the Premier League. Anyone who wants to disagree with me should watch his second half performance against Cambridge (W 2-1) – he was outstanding. ».

Chelsea former goalkeeping coach, Christophe Lollichon told us « He is a goalkeeper with fantastic measurements. 2m01 for 102kg. He plays higher off his line which enable him to influence the game even more. He is very good in the air and good on his feet. He knows exactly how to guide his defense thanks to his smart sense of the game. He has everything to impress. He is not ready yet, but he is coming, slowly like a surprise. ». Lollichon believes in this young talent but knows that Blackman's first-team opportunities at Chelsea look hugely limited with Thibaut Courtois, Asmir Begovic all ahead of him.

Picture: Wycombe Wanderers