With the transfer window in full swing, a number of Chelsea’s fringe players and Loan Army stars are looking for new temporary or permanent assignments for next season. Two of those are former academy goalkeepers Jamal Blackman and Nathan Baxter.
Blackman, who had suffered a tibia fracture in November 2018 remained out of action for most of 2019. He did play a couple of games for League One side Bristol Rovers after joining them in January, but then pandemic struck and forced the curtailment of the season.
#Rotherham have made an offer to take #ChelseaFC's Jamal Blackman on loan for the season #rufc #cfc https://t.co/OzHTtF6aQx
— Lyall Thomas (@SkySportsLyall) August 15, 2020
Now that he has fully recovered, newly-promoted Championship side, Rotherham United are apparently keen on taking him on loan as per Sky Sports (via The 72) and West London Sport. The Millers have only one senior goalkeeper in Lewis Price and they are looking to bring in another experienced man in Blackman, who played in the Championship for Sheffield United before, as they look to compete in a tougher division. Rotherham have apparently already made a loan bid for Blackman, whose Chelsea contract expires in 2021.
In other Blues’ goalkeeper news, Nathan Baxter, who has been trialing at the reigning League Two champions and League One new-boys, Swindon Town, played a friendly match for them against Championship-promoted and ex-Blue Fankaty Dabo’s Coventry City. He was impressive in the match as per reports which should only increase the number of suitors in a list that already includes Championship sides, Birmingham City and Derby County.
Today’s #STFC players on trial: Returning are goalkeeper Nathan Baxter (Chelsea) & defender Akin Odimayo (Reading) New: Goalkeeper Dillon Barnes (Colchester/QPR) and striker Tom Nichols (Exeter, Peterborough, Bristol Rovers)
— BBC Wiltshire Sport (@BBCWiltsSport) August 15, 2020
While there’s a possibility that he may test the waters of the Championship, he probably feels it will be easier to get game-time at Swindon Town. Whether it’s League One or the Championship, it’ll be a tougher assignment than what Baxter has competed in till date, but it’s quite all right as long as Baxter fulfills his dream of playing for Chelsea someday.
Swindon lead 1-0 at half time
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) August 15, 2020
Coventry had a chance to equalise, but brave goalkeeping by trialist Nathan Baxter denied Bakayoko a chance to get a shot off pic.twitter.com/Vte1M2yBwl