Gael Kakuta Reflects on Chelsea Stint
Former Chelsea wonderkid Gael Kakuta has expressed that he might have ended his career at the club if not for the numerous issues he faced during his time at Stamford Bridge. Now 32 and playing for Ligue 2 side Amiens, Kakuta’s dream move to the Premier League turned into a challenging experience.
A Promising Start Turns Sour
Kakuta was brought into Chelsea’s youth ranks and quickly made an impression by winning the academy’s Player of the Year award in his first season. His talent was evident, with scout Guy Hillion calling him “the most gifted player of his generation” and Michael Ballack also praising his abilities. Despite this promising start, Kakuta only made six senior appearances for Chelsea, despite signing a four-year contract following his Premier League and Champions League debuts.
Struggles with First-Team Opportunities
Reflecting on his Chelsea stint, Kakuta shared that he believed he would still be at the club if things had gone as planned. “I think I’d still be at Chelsea today if things turned out like they were supposed to. In fact, I’d have finished my career there,” he told SPORTbible. Kakuta recalled how Carlo Ancelotti, after his first training session with the first team, acknowledged him with a wink, suggesting early promise. However, limited first-team action and several unproductive loan spells severely affected his career.
Lessons Learned from a Turbulent Journey
Kakuta admitted that his naivety led to a critical mistake: signing a long-term contract. “I was very naive to sign that four-year contract. Instead of renewing, I should have left for another team that would have treated me like a first-team player rather than a youngster who came to the first team,” he reflected. His time at the London club was marred by fitness issues, exemplified during a cup game against Newcastle United where he struggled to keep up and suffered a back injury.
Despite his turbulent journey, Kakuta continued to draw attention and eventually signed fresh terms with the Blues in 2010. He later moved to Sevilla in 2015, and his career included stints at Hebei China Fortune, Rayo Vallecano, Amiens, and Lens.
