Exclusive:Chelsea youngster Max Merrick opens up on love for Hartlepool United, Poolies and life in the North East

They say you should never fall in love with a loan player - but what happens when a loan player falls in the love with the club and their supporters?

It would be safe to suggest Chelsea’s highly-rated young goalkeeper Max Merrick has already made a positive impression on Hartlepool United and their supporters - and the feeling appears to be somewhat mutual after the England Under-20 international revealed he has already fallen in love with life at Victoria Park just weeks into what he hopes will be a successful season-long stint working under Lee Clark.

Speaking after Friday night’s defeat against Eastleigh, the Pools stopper told The Mail: “I love them and I think you could see that today, I was trying to get them riled up and they were trying to rile me up. I say it so many times but they’re great and I’ve fallen in love with this place in the short time I’ve been here. Hopefully, I will be here for the full season and we are going to go and get exactly what we want by getting promoted - and they are going to be a massive part of that.”

After producing two solid displays during the first week of the season as Pools collected maximum points from a home game with Barrow and a visit to Aldershot Town, Merrick was missing for the recent defeat against Sutton United after suffering a quad injury. The youngster returned to parent club Chelsea to have the injury assessed by Blues medical staff before heading back to the North East to train with Pools ahead of last Friday night’s home loss with Eastleigh.

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As is the norm with loan moves involving their young talents, Chelsea are monitoring Merrick closely throughout his time at Victoria Park and the feedback received by the club and the player himself has been overwhelmingly positive after he enjoyed a promising start to life in the North East. Merrick believes the Blues can see he is responding to what he described as ‘one of the highest intensity training’ he has been involved in - but insisted all parties involved are aware he can still improve in some aspects of his game as he competes in the National League for the first time in his young career.

He said: “I’ve been fortunate enough to be involved with Chelsea’s first team so I have seen the top level - but obviously I’ve never played for Chelsea either and that’s my goal. I’ll definitely been able to see the level [at Pools], especially in training. I said when I went back to Chelsea this week, it’s one of the highest intensity training I’ve ever been part of. Everyone wants to be involved, everyone loves it. Everyone has things to work on and there’s things I want to work on as well but the feedback [from Chelsea] has been good and they’ve been in contact all of the time.”

Pressure

One intriguing aspect of Merrick’s game has been the calmness he has shown during his early appearances for Pools and the composure he has shown in possession of the ball. That should not be a surprise to anyone with goalkeepers across the football pyramid now expected to be able to become part of outfield play and play without fear. Merrick admitted the words of Pools head coach Lee Clark remain at the front of his mind and he believes the mindset encouraged by the former Newcastle United and Sunderland midfielder can bring results as his side chase promotion in the EFL this season.

“I feel pressure, I just try to take it in my stride,” he explained. “I think I like to show some confidence on the pitch and I think the fans can see that. I am just enjoying it. Like the manager said, fear is an emotion nobody wants, and of course it happens, but you shouldn’t fear anything. You should be positive because at the end of the day, that’s what is going to get you results.”

‘I’ve loved my time up here so far’

After spending time on loan at Southern League club Hanwell Town and National League South outfit Hampton and Richmond Borough in recent seasons, London-born Merrick has been taken out of his comfort zone by moving to the North East for the first time in his career. The move also represents the first time the 20-year-old has spent time on loan with a full-time club in what represents a completely new experience from his previous temporary moves away from Chelsea. However, it is an experience he has enjoyed so far - despite admitting he is having some trouble understanding one of his Pools team-mates.

He said: “This is my first full-time loan and obviously, coming from down south up north, it’s been a little bit weird getting use to it so far. But I’ve loved my time up here so far, everyone has been so welcoming, everyone here, even the people of Newcastle because I’m living in Newcastle have been so welcoming. I’m absolutely loving it here. There’s no trouble with the accents, maybe Hunty [Jack Hunter], I’ve had to concentrate when Hunty is talking a couple of times.”

Maybe somethings take more time to fall in love with than others.

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