On the eve of the New Year, Rovers have confirmed their first outgoing of the January Transfer Window by allowing tricky winger, Harry Chapman to play out the rest of the campaign in League One with Shrewsbury Town.
The 23-year old, whose deal at Ewood Park is set to expire in June, has been given the opportunity to prove his worth, both to the Shrews and to Rovers, by earning some valuable game time which will hopefully go a long way in aiding his development. Despite only recently turning 23 in November, the winger has lacked consistent game time for someone of his age and this loan move will prove the perfect opportunity for Chapman to develop both, the technical and mental side of his game, given that his career appearances have been limited to just 64 senior games.
Although his Championship chances have been limited, Chapman’s record in the third tier is a rather encouraging omen for Shrewsbury Town fans with the ‘Starman’ having gained promotion all three times he has played in League One, notching a playoff winners medal with Barnsley in 2015-16, alongside a title medal and a runners-up medal with Sheffield United and Rovers, respectively. In all aspects, Chapman has completed the ‘clean sweep’ in League One and the Shrewsbury Town fans will be hoping the Middlesbrough youth academy graduate will be able to galvanise their team in the second-half of the campaign in order to move out of the currently occupied place of 16th and build on their recent eight-match unbeaten run in the league, in order to make a late surge for the playoffs.
From the eyes of everyone in Lancashire, whilst the move for the under-20 World Cup winner, who has only made five substitute appearances in the Championship this season, has come as a bit of a surprise due to his natural pace and flair being a prime attribute for unlocking stringent defences – something Rovers have struggled with so far this season – given his contractual situation and his limited minutes, the move makes sense for all parties as it offers Chapman an opportunity to offer more clarity to his future, however whether that lies at Ewood Park, New Meadow or elsewhere, will remain to be seen.
