During his prime at Chelsea, young football sensation Jacob Mellis played in the Champions League, earning £8,000 per week. Now 32, he is homeless, having distanced himself from the sport.
Twelve years ago, Mellis’ career took a nosedive when he triggered a smoke grenade at the Chelsea training ground.
On that day, while unaware of the grenade’s nature, Mellis inadvertently set off a smoke cloud during a normal training session. Despite causing a brief evacuation, no harm occurred. Regrettably, he was expelled from the academy, whereas his teammate, Billy Clifford, faced only a fine.
Mellis felt disheartened when Carlo Ancelotti, who had plans for his promotion, left and was replaced by Andre Villas–Boas. Consequently, he and his agent decided it was time to part ways with Chelsea when he was just 20 years old.
His agent arranged trials for Mellis at Queens Park Rangers, providing an opportunity to play in the Premier League. Impressively, he even scored a goal against West Ham in a reserve match. However, an off-field altercation with his girlfriend resulted in arrests and negative media attention, damaging his reputation.
Ashamed, Mellis chose not to pursue a future with QPR, fearing judgment from prominent players like Adel Taarabt, Joey Barton, and Shaun Wright-Phillips. The failed trials marked a turning point, leading him to the National League, where he last played for Southend.
In retrospect, despite Mellis’ immense talent, he failed to realize his potential. He candidly shared his downfall with the Daily Mail, expressing his struggle to find direction and independence without relying solely on his family.
Mellis’ football career ultimately ended due to a severe knee injury, but his persistent issue with late-night gambling plagued him.
Throughout the years, his partying habits hindered his training, and coaches grew dissatisfied. A low point came when he showed up for training drunk at the age of 19, resulting in a stern warning from assistant coach Steve Holland and a disapproving gesture from David Luiz.
The head of the Chelsea academy assigned Ashley Cole as Mellis’ mentor, hoping to discourage his gambling habits. While attempts were made, Mellis, then arrogant and self-assured, believed his actions were acceptable as long as he performed well on the field. Sadly, he admitted to failing in overcoming his vices, often turning to alcohol when disappointed. His self-destructive behavior affected only himself, not Chelsea.
Now without a permanent home, Mellis relies on his family’s support. Once a bright prospect in Chelsea’s academy, his name has faded from memory at Stamford Bridge.
