PREMIER LEAGUE

Ex-Chelsea Youngster’s Paris Nightmare Sparks Urgent Questions

Blues Eyeing Serie A’s Top Scorer to Improve Their Attack

Former​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Chelsea player Yann Gueho is still in the intensive care unit following a traumatic stabbing incident in Paris. The ex-Londoner went through a very tough time with his health in the first half of the month and his situation has left the French football community in utter ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌disbelief.

Violent Incident Shakes Paris Suburb

During​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ the night of 9 to 10th of November, Gueho was attacked in Choisy-le-Roi. In the company of a friend, he was hit several times. Due to the severity of his state, he was flown to the intensive care unit right away. The police apprehended a man not long after the incident.

The District Attorney’s Office indicted him on the counts of attempted murder and violent involvement of a gang. Additionally, a female acquaintance of the accused was charged in connection with the attack. On 12th of November, an inquiry into this matter was ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌initialized.

A Talent Cut Short By Struggles

During​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ these years, from 2009 to 2011, Gueho was a shining light in the Chelsea youth academy. After that, he was transferred to Lille and Nantes, but he didn’t have the chance to make his professional debut in ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌football. A bipolar disorder diagnosis led him to retire at 22 years of age. His mother disclosed that he was going through a heavy treatment process and it was taking his physical strength away. She said that the situation made him very weak.

Author’s View

The​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ situation is a clear demonstration of how struggles with mental health can increase the risk factor of a person’s life. Yet, Gueho was the one who needed to be shielded and given enhanced assistance because of his delicate state. The tragic arc of his experience is a vivid example of how a bright future can dissipate in no time if there is no follow-up care. There should be a stronger commitment from football to the aftercare of ex-academy players, particularly those who have to deal with severe health ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌issues.

As featured on Chelseanews.com

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