For many footballers, making a debut for a prominent club like Chelsea is a career milestone. However, for a select few players, this moment is both a dream come true and a fleeting experience. These individuals, who have worn the Chelsea shirt just once in a senior match, have unique stories that underscore the emotional highs and lows of professional football.
Joe Sheerin, who made his debut on April 22, 1997, recalls his remarkable journey from the youth ranks to his first-team appearance. At the age of eight, Sheerin joined Chelsea and spent nearly a decade developing his skills before receiving his call-up. His debut came during a Premier League match against Wimbledon at Selhurst Park. “I was just going out to train as normal and then told I was in the first-team squad that night. I was like, ‘What?!’” he reflected.
The whirlwind experience included a night spent in a hotel, a rush to call friends and family, and a surreal moment of walking onto the pitch. As he describes, “Dennis Wise punched me in the back, saying, ‘Hurry up or you’re not going to get on.’” Despite the nerves, Sheerin managed to play a part in Chelsea’s 1-0 victory, although he later faced a series of injuries that would ultimately curtail his time at the club.
Sheerin is not alone in this one-game wonder club. Anthony Grant, who debuted on May 10, 2005, against Manchester United at Old Trafford, reflects on a similar experience. Having joined Chelsea at seven, Grant was part of a transformative era under manager José Mourinho, who instilled a winning mentality at the club. Grant recalls, “I was probably there at like 10.30am or 11am” on the day of his debut, eager and ready. His memorable moment came late in the match, when he finally got the nod to replace Joe Cole in the 89th minute. “You don’t realize until you get older how big an achievement it was actually to make my debut at 17,” Grant stated, recalling the thrill of playing alongside legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.
Another voice in this narrative is that of Xavier Simons, who made his debut against Brentford on December 22, 2021, in the Carabao Cup quarter-final. Simons, who joined Chelsea after the closure of Brentford’s academy, quickly found himself in the first-team setup. He described the moment he learned he would start as a right wing-back: “I think I played really well. I didn’t look out of place.” The support he received from established players like Mason Mount and César Azpilicueta helped ease his nerves, making the occasion even more memorable.
The experiences of these players highlight not only the pressure and excitement of debuting for a top club but also the bittersweet nature of such moments. For many, the dream of a long career at Chelsea was not realized, yet their stories reflect a deep love for the game. Sheerin, now 48, expressed a sense of regret for unfulfilled potential, while Grant and Simons are focused on their ongoing journeys.
Grant, who currently plays for AFC Whyteleafe in the Isthmian League, continues to chase his aspirations, while Simons is establishing himself at Bolton Wanderers in League One. Each player carries the pride of having represented Chelsea, a club that has become a significant part of their identities, no matter how brief their time on the pitch.
As these players reflect on their unique journeys, it becomes clear that the value of such experiences goes beyond the game itself. They serve as powerful reminders of hard work, resilience, and the unpredictable nature of a career in football. For every player who dreams of a long tenure, there are others whose paths may diverge, yet each one shares a profound connection through their singular moment on the field.