Chelsea defender Josh Grant has opened up to Plymouth Live about the motivation behind his temporary move to Home Park.
The defender, who won the Toulon Tournament with England Under 20 in 2017, is on a six-month loan deal with the Pilgrims and made his debut in the EFL Cup win against Leyton Orient.
He’s yet to make a senior appearance for the Blues, but appeared eight times for Yeovil as they were relegated out of the Football League last season.
Despite that setback, Grant is now relishing a chance to get minutes under his belt and to work with Ryan Lowe.
“I have settled in really well, and that’s thanks to the Gaffer (Lowe) and to the team,” said the 20-year-old.
“I have got to join them. They haven’t got time for anyone to sit and watch. I have got straight into it and it feels like home already.”
He paid tribute to former Bury manager Lowe, citing the exodus from Bury as part of the reason behind him wanting to join the Pilgrims.
“Looking at the way he wants to play and his team from last season with Bury, that’s what you want to be a part of. Also, when the boys follow him (from Bury) it shows that he’s a great man, not just a great coach and someone I want to learn under and someone I want to play for.
“As a young player, you don’t want to dwell on negativity. You want to hear positive stuff. Obviously, you want to learn as well and that’s what he has got the perfect balance of so far.”
Plymouth slipped to their first defeat of the season at Newport County this weekend, but are still fifth in the early table, just a single point off the top spot occupied by Swindon Town.
Our View
Grant was an unused sub this weekend and I think he might struggle for game time during the season.
He’s certainly an able defender with a lot to offer, but it’s tough for a young player to force his way into a first team, especially one that’s doing well. The Plymouth back four is largely unchanged from last season and they look more than capable of holding their own in League Two.
Grant might have to be patient and wait for his chance, but more importantly, he has to seize it when it arrives.
