Kane admits his long-term future may be away from Chelsea
Todd Kane admits he may never realise his dream of playing for Chelsea’s first team – even though he is regarded as one of the club’s brightest young prospects.
The 21-year-old was in the FA Youth Cup winning side of two seasons ago and has joined Championship side Nottingham Forest after a successful stint with League One high-flyers Bristol City.
But, as one of the small army of Blues players making their way at other clubs in temporary locations, the right-back is realistic enough to acknowledge that the club he has been with since he was seven may never offer him the breakthrough he craves.
“He’s a good footballer and a good kid as well.”
Bristol City manager Steve Cotterill on Todd Kane
“My heart’s at Chelsea and always will be, but being honest, I don’t really know if I will get the chance,” Kane told West London Sport.
“They are always looking to strengthen the team, and if they want to buy a player, they will go out and buy them. That’s Chelsea.
“Hopefully, one day it might come, but it’s a hard one. There’s no young players playing for Chelsea now at all. It is disappointing because I feel that there is so much young talent there.”
Kane did play for the first team in a pre-season friendly against Wycombe, only to see his chance to impress boss Jose Mourinho cut short by injury.
He realises that making the breakthrough at Stamford Bridge is an incredibly tough ask – and he may not get another opportunity.
Kane added: “Josh McEachran [now on loan at Vitesse in Holland] is one of my best mates and it’s disappointing with him because he’s played Champions League, but it hasn’t happened since.
“I’ve got quite a few friends who’ve been and gone. I feel that the boys should have had an opportunity and they haven’t.
“But they’ve gone elsewhere and proved them wrong and I feel that’s the best thing you can do to make a career for yourself. If one club doesn’t want you, someone else will. You’ve got to put dinner on your kids’ table.
“I’ve been there such a long time and if it comes true, I’ll be the happiest young player on that football pitch. But all I can do is play well for myself.”
Bristol City manager Steve Cotterill was impressed with Kane during his loan stint at Ashton Gate.
Kane made seven appearances for City but only one league start, but previously played in the second tier while on loan at Blackburn Rovers – and before that was also loaned to Preston North End.
“He’s a good footballer and a good kid as well,” Cotterill said. “I haven’t had him long enough to know what his best position might be.
“When people want defenders, they want 6ft-plus don’t they but he’s not 6ft-plus, so he’s probably not a centre-back. But as a right-back, I suppose if you’ve got John Terry or Gary Cahill playing alongside you, you might get away with that.
“But look, he’s just a good footballer and I think that good footballers can play anywhere, especially if they’re athletic, and he’s that.”
Kane, who says he speaks to Chelsea skipper Terry regularly, added: “I feel comfortable wherever I play on the pitch.
“I’m not a lad that gets nervous and am quite a confident person. I just enjoy playing. I’d go in goal.”
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