New Yeovil Town midfielder Charlie Wakefield has been speaking to Goal.com about his horrid luck with injury, illness and contract situations as he looks to head back to the big time, starting off at Huish Park this season.
The former Chelsea youngster looked set for stardom under Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge, before a string of injuries hampered his progression through the youth set up.
He impressed in the Under 18s and Under 23s alongside some household names including one of England’s Euro 2020 hero’s Mason Mount.
“I played in unbelievable teams with the likes of Mason Mount, Andreas Christensen, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and many more. Everything was good… All of a sudden, injuries started. I have had 10 hamstring injuries between the ages of 18 and 21.”
Hamstring problems aside, the former England Youth player also had to have a couple of months off after a serious incident after returning from holiday in the United States.
“I had 10 days off to go on holiday so I went to New York with my girlfriend. The plane journey led to me suffering a collapsed lung on the drive to my first training session upon my return, I was rushed to hospital from the training ground and I had to have two months out with no exercise after that.”
It is of no surprise that after all that, Charlie admits needing help with his mental wellbeing, teaming up with the charity Tape 2 Talk, a mental health focus group for young players who have found themselves going through hard times or having been released from clubs.
Covid also brought his time at Coventry to a screeching halt and Wakefield now says that a move to Yeovil – via Wealdstone and Bromley – is a chance for him to begin climbing back up the ladder – and hopefully taking the Glovers along with him.
“I am grateful, but I don’t think it is arrogant to say that I know I can play in the Football League. I hope to look back on one hell of a journey and story, losing it and getting it back…
“People like Jamie Vardy and Tyrone Mings inspire you, who went through non-league and came back. Six good months can change your life in football, that’s what’s great about the sport.”
Everyone here at the Gloverscast is excited to see Charlie at Huish Park and wishes his charitable ventures off the pitch all the very best too.
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