:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26760569/119281111.0.jpg)
Billy Clifford was photographed earlier today on trial with Belgian club KV Mechelen. Whether he's there ahead of a loan or a permanent deal isn't clear, but it looks as if Clifford will probably be playing elsewhere for the remainder of the season.
My colleague @Frank_Dekeyser took a picture of Billy #Clifford at Mechelen's training ground. He's on trial at KV. pic.twitter.com/1EWmRwdjFC
— Kristof Terreur (@HLNinEngeland) January 13, 2014
Clifford started the season on loan at Championship side Yeovil town, after a successful spell in League One last season. He was quickly returned to Chelsea after failing to impress though, and some injury issues led to him remaining in Cobham for the remainder of the fall.
At one point several seasons ago, Billy Clifford was considered to be one of the more promising young prospects in the Chelsea system, coming through as a right back before being moved into an advanced midfield role. His Chelsea career nearly ended prematurely though, after he and Jacob Mellis were involved in an incident with a smoke grenade at the training grounds.
Clifford signed a deal with Chelsea in 2011 that won't expire for another 18 months. While his wages are certainly nothing that would hinder Chelsea in any way, there's a good chance third and fourth tier sides in England just can't match them. I'd imagine that's part of why we're seeing him in Belgium, as both sides have probably accepted by this point that the player's future lies away from Chelsea.
