Gael Kakuta is reaching the last five games of his first loan spell away from Chelsea. Since January, Kakuta has only appeared 4 times for Fulham and only once starting a game.
So of Fulham’s 9 games since his transfer, Gael has appeared off the bench 3 times and started once. Hardly first team football for the lad crowned player of the tournament at last year’s European Under-19’s.
Kakuta will soon be 20 years old and with all the hype that has surrounded him from such a young age, hype that was not helped by the now settled transfer scandal he was involved in, he has hardly burst onto the domestic scene as of yet.
His talents are not non-existent. Many players and coaches both from Chelsea and not have witnessed his style and ability. It is believed that the player will ‘come good’ and that a controlled progress is key for his development rather than a hasty one.
But at almost 20 years old and with incredible talent, why is this his first loan spell?
Ryan Bertrand, only a year older, has already amassed 145 first team appearances for numerous clubs since he was 16.
Jack Cork, two years older, has been on loan since he was 17. He has 141 appearances.
Patrick Van Aanholt has 35. Michael Mancienne has 58 from before the age of 20.
Does this comparison coincide with the belief that a slightly slower and closer to home (i.e. Reserves) development is better for him?
It’s too early to tell. With the progress that the players listed above are making in terms of first team football and ability, it’ll take a while to see which choice is better.
For me the loan spell at Fulham will have helped Kakuta mentally. He is at a mid-table/relegation candidate team and even there he can’t get guaranteed first team football. To return to Chelsea next season and find himself on the bench week in week out will hopefully not seem so demoralising now after this time away.
And who knows, if a couple of the more attack-minded players leave this summer then he’s got a great chance for next season.
If continues to train well in the presence of some of the world’s best, with sub appearances and the odd start here and there, it wont be long before he’s showcasing his talents at Bridge consistently.
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