Chapman’s loan ends – it just didn’t work out

HARRY Chapman’s loan with Burton Albion was only for the first half of the season, rather than a season-long deal curtailed. That partially explains why the club did not feel the need to announce its end, but the midfielder is indeed back with Blackburn Rovers.

It was a worthwhile experiment, given Chapman’s form on loan with Shrewsbury Town last season, and there were high hopes he could have played a big part this season for the Brewers.

But it has not worked out and Chapman, after flitting in and out of the picture, left with a glimpse of what might have been when he scored a fine solo goal against Crewe Alexandra on Saturday.

However, in the same game, he also showed why that goal was not enough, squandering several other promising positions.

On his full debut, at home to Gillingham, he excited supporters with a string of strong runs at the opposition but they all ended with hesitation – should he pass or shoot – and the chances were lost.

As the season wore on, attack was turned into defence a little too often when Chapman tried one trick too many and was robbed. In all, he made 15 appearances, including nine League starts.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s decision was probably made long before the goal on Saturday and, to add to it, Chapman’s goading celebration in front of the Crewe fans who had been booing him was not a good look: both John Brayford and Kane Hemmings, when they scored at the same end, ran instinctively towards the Burton supporters, of course.

Middlesbrough loaned Chapman out three times and Blackburn twice so far. In 107 career appearances, he has made 68 from the bench and, at 24, his career is at a crossroads.

Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray does not mince words and said last month: “Harry Chapman is a young lad who, for me, has to understand what it is to play for a team with ambition and you have to do what the manager wants, to run, to chase, to fight and to compete. If you’re a Harry Chapman type of player you then need to beat players and contribute with goals and assists.

“It’s football, it’s pretty simple for me. If Harry can do all that, which is why he was brought to this club, then Harry Chapman is a good footballer.”

He still has the chance to be – and the possibility does remain that the loan could be renewed before the end of the January window. With Chapman having played for two EFL clubs this season, he could not not play for a third.