The 2019-20 Chelsea Loan Army has a fresh new recruit. Richard Nartey, a 20-year-old centre-back will spend the upcoming season on loan at Burton Albion. The Brewers, managed by Nigel Clough, finished mid-table in League One (third tier) last season.
Nartey actually turns 21 one month into the new season, so it’s about time he forayed into senior football. He’s the second player to join the Loan Army this summer, in addition to three carryovers.
✍️ Burton Albion are delighted to confirm the signing of defender Richard Nartey on loan from @ChelseaFC until the end of the 2019/20 season!
— Burton Albion FC (@burtonalbionfc) June 26, 2019
Read more here https://t.co/ZKLxNFOu98 #BAFC pic.twitter.com/LMIs15kuak
Like several Chelsea youngsters poised to make a first-team breakthrough this season, Nartey has been part of the youth setup at Cobham for all of his childhood. He was part of a high-performing under-18 side in 2016-17 and has been featuring for the Development Squad in the two seasons since. Thanks to the addition of academy teams to the EFL Trophy, Nartey has also faced up against several senior strikers plying their trade in the lower rungs of English football.
Those strikers, fwiw, were Jamille Matt, Alex Fletcher, James Hanson, Joe Pigott and Ivan Toney, plus Matt Rhead and Reuben Reid the season before. Whatever the outcome, those battles will serve him well as he gets stuck into senior football now.
— Chelsea Youth (@chelseayouth) June 26, 2019
Burton was a temporary home for recently released Chelsea goalkeeper, Bradley Collins last season and this move will no doubt be made in good confidence of the pedigree of players produced at Cobham.
Good luck, Richard!