Chelsea’s young goalkeeper, Eddie Beach, is poised to join Crawley Town on loan, marking the latest departure from the Blues’ academy.
Beach, 20, was part of Chelsea’s initial 29-man pre-season squad that traveled to America last month but did not make an appearance under Enzo Maresca.
He previously spent the second half of last season on loan at Gateshead, where he played just five times, hampered by an injury that kept him out for a month.
Despite this, Beach has enjoyed an impressive rise, being named one of four goalkeepers taken to the USA for pre-season preparations.
However, with the arrival of Filip Jorgensen from Villarreal and the presence of senior options Robert Sanchez and Marcus Bettinelli, Beach faces stiff competition for a starting spot.
To gain valuable first-team experience, Beach will join Crawley Town, following in the footsteps of fellow Chelsea academy goalkeepers Alfie Gilchrist, Andrey Santos, and Aaron Anselmino, who have all left the club on loan this week.
Luke Campbell, another Under-18 goalkeeper, has also departed for non-league outfit Hendon FC.
Beach’s loan move is the latest in a series of temporary departures from Chelsea, as the club seeks to trim its bloated squad under new head coach Enzo Maresca.
Conor Gallagher and Trevoh Chalobah are among the high-profile players expected to follow suit.
The loan move to Crawley Town represents a step up for Beach, who has experience playing in the English pyramid, having previously played for Chelmsford.
As he looks to gain more first-team experience, Beach will hope to make a positive impact at Crawley Town and increase his chances of breaking into Chelsea’s senior squad in the future.
Chelsea’s decision to send Beach out on loan reflects the club’s commitment to developing its young players and providing them with valuable experience in competitive environments.
With a plethora of goalkeeping options available, Beach’s loan move is a sensible decision, allowing him to grow and develop without getting lost in the shuffle at Chelsea.
