The parents of Harvey Vale have revealed that the senior Chelsea squad keep telling their son to extend his stay at the club.
Speaking to The Athletic, Collette and Jamie explained that the first-team players are desperate for the teenager to agree terms over a new deal with the Blues.
Vale’s contract expires next summer, with some big decisions waiting for him at the end of the season.
If he decides to remain in South West London, he will at least have the certainty of playing in the Premier League 2, following Saturday’s dramatic win against Tottenham Hotspur.
Andy Myers’ development side knew that anything other than a triumph over Tottenham would relegate them to the second division.
The crowd at Cobham certainly fit the huge occasion.
No tickets were sold for the fixture due to the sanctions, but the quality of supporters certainly made up for the empty seats.
Amongst the onlookers was John Terry, Claude Makelele, Petr Cech, Carlo Cudicini, Thomas Tuchel and several of his group.
Chelsea just edge past Spurs
Alongside the star-studded ensemble were the player’s families, living and breathing the pressure upon their respective children.
So just imagine how they felt when Spurs scored first just before the hour mark.
Or how their hearts must’ve been racing when Dion Rankine equalised for Chelsea.
Emotions surely hit fever pitch following Joe Haigh’s 89th-minute winner to ensure another campaign in the top flight for the Under-23’s.
All of the young Blues jumped for joy at the final whistle, aware of how close they came to demotion.
Had they drawn or lost to Spurs, it may have signalled the end of many of their tenures at the club.
Chelsea’s academy has a reputation for breeding and then selling talent.
Dropping down a tier would give them even more reason to make a profit on their own products.
The adventures of Harvey Vale
Vale would surely have secured them a few pennies, having enjoyed a very respectable individual campaign.
The 18-year-old’s performances for the under-23’s led to him earning his senior debut, alongside consistently being called up to train with Tuchel’s group.
A camp that desperately want the versatile midfielder to renew his allegiance to the cause.
“The first-team players were saying, ‘Sign your contract. We want you with us’,” revealed his dad Jamie.
“Tuchel is always saying when he rejoins training, ‘Welcome back. I’m glad you’re with us. It’s lovely to have you back’.”
Hopefully, Harvey will be linking up with the Champions League holders many more times in the foreseeable future.
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