Jacob Mellis, ex Chelsea with Ancelotti, alcohol, now homeless – Corriere.it

In November of 2010 Charles Ancelottithen coach of the Chelseamakes it start in Champions. Sturridge And Malouda the Slovaks come back Zilinaarrived at Stamford Bridge not at all compliant, and the coach decides to allow one minute (number) to Jacob Mellisa promising 19-year-old from the academy of Blues. Those 60 seconds on the pitch with captain Drogba he has not forgotten them, even if his life – 13 years later – is totally different. He no longer has a career as a footballer. OR worse, he has no home, no car, no income. He relies on family and friends, who in turn offer him a sofa or money to sleep in a hostel. That little boy who knew how to play anywhere – especially midfielder but also second striker or right back – and who had made himself noticed by Carlo Ancelotti who fell victim to his weaknesses.

After leaving Chelsea he wandered away from the Premier League. Southampton, Barnsley, Blackpool, Bury. A misdiagnosed knee injury last year hastened his retirement and set off a spiral he had already been involved in for years. Blame alcohol and constant night parties. One day, as told by Mellis himself in an interview with Daily Mail, shows up to Chelsea training totally drunk. Then assistant Steve Holland takes him to the locker room, slaps him. Then he waits for the senators to return, from Ashley Cole to David Luiz, who notice the boy’s breath and shake their heads. They tell him to stop, they try to help him. But no way.

At the slightest frustration Mellis drinks. Alcohol becomes a traveling companion throughout his career and it still grips him today, an addiction he can’t get out of: I drink as much as I can, to forget the stress. That’s why the Professional Footballers’ Association of England decided to help him. Mellis will enter the Sporting Chance clinic in the coming days and Chelsea have also offered to collaborate by offering him the possibility of returning to work in football. As? By identifying the talents of tomorrow and helping them to stay away from the dangers he has experienced firsthand.