Jacob Mellis was the Chelsea wonderkid destined for the big stage… at 32, he’s now homeless

At the peak of his younger profession, Jacob Mellis was taking part in in the Champions League and incomes £8,000 every week. Today he’s homeless.

He arrives to talk to Mail Sport at Alderley Edge lodge, a venue he has turn into all-too-familiar with, sporting the similar garments he had on the day earlier than. Once a assured teenage prodigy who stood head and shoulders above the throng at Chelsea’s academy, the 32-year-old is disconnected and weary.

The location, one in all the wealthiest villages in the North West of England referred to as residence by a few of the Premier League’s largest stars, is at odds together with his dire scenario, however Mellis has little say in the place he will get his respite lately.

He has no residence, no automotive and no revenue. Over the previous 18 months, he has relied on the goodwill of household and pals providing couches to crash on or recognizing the money for a lodge room.

Today’s venue has been picked for its comfort by a childhood good friend, who lives simply minutes down the street and helps Mellis get some type of stability again into his life.

Last night time it was a mate’s pad in Manchester’s metropolis centre. Tonight it’s both one other keep in the lodge – his good friend footing the £95 invoice – or a visit again to his brother’s in Nottingham. The search for a spot to place his head down is infinite.

‘I spend each day just thinking about where to go really,’ he says. ‘I have family but I don’t actually need to depend on them. I need to attempt to do stuff for myself. It’s been troublesome. I strive not to consider it an excessive amount of. I simply attempt to get on with it.

‘They just want the best for me. They try to help me as much as they can. Obviously they’ve obtained their very own lives. They get me motels, or I can keep at their home typically.

‘From day to day nothing is settled. You think it can never happen to you. I didn’t plan on retiring. It’s troublesome.’

The untimely finish to his taking part in days has thrown Mellis into the deepest of holes. A misdiagnosed knee harm was picked up at Southend final yr, bringing the curtain down on a 13-year skilled profession that began at Stamford Bridge, the place his debut got here in the Champions League in opposition to Slovakian outfit MSK Zilina.

Mellis is the first to confess he didn’t make the most of his capability, an inclination to prioritise consuming and nights out undermining his promise. It is an issue he has by no means been in a position to shake.

‘Throughout my career it’s been a factor that’s induced me issues,’ he says. ‘When you’re consuming you’re not in command of what you’re doing.

‘It affects training, managers wouldn’t be glad. I bear in mind I turned up one time to coaching drunk. I’d’ve been 19. Steve Holland [Chelsea’s assistant coach] despatched me in. There’s been just a few events the place it has affected me.

‘David Luiz didn’t converse an excessive amount of English, however after we’d be warming up he’d [mimics sniffing his breath] “Hey, have you been drinking?’”. He would say cease [wags his finger]. Like that.

‘Dermot Drummy [Chelsea’s former academy supervisor] gave me a mentor, Ashley Cole, to cease me from going out and to speak to me. So folks did strive, I can’t lie.

‘I was cocky back then, arrogant. I felt like I should be playing. I feel like it is a good thing if it’s channelled in the proper method. But I don’t suppose I channelled it in the proper method.

‘If I wasn’t picked or was feeling pissed off I’d simply exit, go consuming. You’re not messing Chelsea up, you’re messing your self up.’

Alcohol turned a continuing presence all through Mellis’s profession, one which noticed him depart Chelsea to hitch Barnsley in the Championship, earlier than happening to play for seven extra golf equipment throughout the Football League.

‘When I was still playing in the league, I didn’t remorse something. I believed I’m the place I’m,’ he provides.

‘Since I’ve stopped taking part in, you’ve got extra time to suppose. You need to remorse that. The quantity of people who come as much as me and say “Oh my God , what happened to you?”, that’s when it makes me give it some thought. These are folks which might be taking part in in the Premier League.

‘I feel like I didn’t actually know the expertise that I had. Outwardly I’d be cocky. But inside I’d be a bit, not nervous, however didn’t actually know what I may obtain. I didn’t imagine it.’

His present scenario has exacerbated the drawback. ‘I’m consuming as a lot as I can actually. Just to overlook about the stress,’ he admits. ‘It’s just about when the alternative comes.’

He has reached out to the PFA who’re in the early phases of getting him assist. Mellis is about to enter the Sporting Chance clinic this week in a bid to beat his points with alcohol.

There has additionally been help from others inside the soccer group. Chelsea have helped Mellis by means of his first two expertise identification programs as he goals to finally land work again in soccer.

‘I’ve spoken to the PFA the place I attempt to clarify it. I felt in case you don’t drink every single day it isn’t an issue. But it causes issues in your life. Now I’m making an attempt to rectify that.

‘Chelsea helped me to get my Level 1 and Level 2 scouting badges. I did that with them and the FA at Stamford Bridge. I think that’s one thing that I’ll get pleasure from. I like watching children, I really feel like I can see potential in folks.

‘I watch football all day, every day. I like to spot youth talents coming through. I feel like I can help them in other ways, off the pitch. Try to steer them away from the stuff I was doing.’

Currently a everlasting position is proving troublesome – having no mounted handle may cause points when making an attempt to safe the background checks obligatory when working with younger folks.

For now, it’s again to the search for a mattress. Carless and cashless, any journey will depend on lifts or prepare tickets offered by others. An enquiry at the entrance desk reveals the lodge is totally booked for the night, and so begins the job of plotting a path to Nottingham. It’s simply one other cease on the lengthy street to restoration.