Gael Kakuta’s Journey at Chelsea: A Promising Start with a Rocky Finish

Gael Kakuta made his Chelsea debut in 2009 with high expectations but ended up making only 15 additional appearances for the club, leaving in 2015. Reflecting on his career, Kakuta recently opened up about his struggles at Chelsea after rising through the youth ranks. The DR Congo international, who was seen as a future star when he played his first senior match against Wolves in November 2009 at just 18, ultimately didn’t score in over 550 minutes of play across his Chelsea stint.

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Loan Spells and Overseas Ventures

Kakuta’s time at Chelsea was interrupted by several loan spells, including stints at Fulham and Bolton, yet these moves failed to rejuvenate his career at Stamford Bridge. He then had further loan experiences with French club Dijon, Dutch side Vitesse, Serie A’s Lazio, and Spain’s Rayo Vallecano, but none provided a breakthrough. Chelsea eventually sold him to Sevilla in 2015, where he made just five appearances before heading to China. Now 32, Kakuta wrapped up last season with Amiens in France’s second division, scoring six times in 22 games, following previous impressive performances at Lens. Additionally, he played four matches for DR Congo in the Africa Cup of Nations, reaching the semi-finals before a loss to Ivory Coast.

Reflections on a Career That Could Have Been

Reflecting on his time at Chelsea, Kakuta shared with SPORTbible: “I think I would still be at Chelsea today if things had turned out the way they were supposed to,” he admitted. “In fact, I could have ended my career there.” He recalled his early training with the first team, mentioning how then-manager Carlo Ancelotti gave him a reassuring wink that left him confident he had impressed his teammates. “That moment felt real,” he shared, adding that until then, he hadn’t fully grasped the pressure players faced in the first team, unlike some of his peers who struggled with nerves.

A Season of High Hopes That Ended in Regret

After his debut against Wolves, Kakuta played sporadically in the Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup. He signed a new deal with Chelsea in 2010, but his career soon took a downward turn. Kakuta expressed regret over this contract, feeling he wasn’t truly seen as a first-team player. In the 2010-11 season, he barely played, with just 119 minutes across five games before a January move to Fulham.

Challenges with Fitness and Form

Kakuta’s struggles weren’t just about playing time; fitness also became an issue. “We played a cup game against Newcastle in September 2010, and I was winded after three minutes,” he shared. “I was shocked, thinking, ‘How could this be?’” A tough hit to his back during that game left him immobile, and he realized he needed to work on his fitness — but it was too late. “At that level, you can’t afford to be unprepared.”

Closing Thoughts on Missed Opportunities

Looking back, Kakuta sees his decision to sign that four-year contract as a mistake. “I was naive to sign that deal,” he said. “Instead of renewing, I should have joined a club that would have valued me as a first-team player, not just a youth who happened to make it to the senior squad.”