“I watch all their matches” – Player insists he’s still a ‘die-hard Chelsea fan’ after Blues exit

Standard Liège’s Henry Lawrence has told La Dernière Heure that he continues to follow Chelsea closely.

The 23-year-old came through the ranks of the Blues academy but wasn’t able to make his way into their first team.

During his time at the Premier League side, the defender was sent out on loan to AFC Wimbledon and MK Dons between 2021 and 2023.

La Dernière Heure state the Englishman initially started as a midfielder and was moved to the right-back position at Chelsea’s academy. Lawrence has made nine appearances for the Jupiler Pro League side this season and they lost only three of them.

His development at the Belgian club under Ivan Leko’s orders has come as a surprise to some. The Croatian manager has heaped praise on the Chelsea academy graduate’s defensive qualities.

The outlet have also covered comments made by the player expressing his love for the west London club. It’s claimed Lawrence has been a ‘die-hard Chelsea fan’ since he was a kid.

“It’s not a regret not to have played with the professional core [first team]. I still watch all their matches,” he said.

The fullback has also talked about looking up to Chelsea captain Recce James, who also started as a midfielder.

“I watched him a lot. Like me, he played in the middle before moving to right back,” Lawrence explained.

DH also suggest the youngster dreams of a Chelsea return one day, although that appears to be their assumption.