BEING a young professional footballer making your way in the modern game these days is a challenge in itself.
When you add academic assignments and assessments to the mix, it suddenly becomes a whole lot more demanding.
But in his embryonic professional career, Junior Tchamadeu has shown that he is a talented and driven individual, both on and off the pitch.
And it is exactly that outlook that has enabled the Colchester United defender to scoop a top individual award.
The 18-year-old landed the EFL League Two Apprentice of the Year accolade at the 2022 EFL Awards ceremony in London, last weekend.
It is an accolade awarded to outstanding young professionals at EFL clubs who excel, both on and off the pitch.
For a young man blessed with huge potential and a commendable attitude, it is richly deserved.
“I’m buzzing to have got the award,” said Tchamadeu, who pipped Alex Aitken of Stevenage and Rochdale's Ethan Brierley to the award.
“It was a very good experience for me and my family, especially winning it in front of my Dad.
“He’s been a key part of my journey and a huge part of my success, so far.
“I owe him a lot as I do the rest of my family and everyone who has helped me along the way at the club as well and have given me the opportunity to win this award.
“A special mention to Dave Huzzey, the 18s coach Liam Bailey and of course Steve Ball, who gave me my debut.
“The nomination was a surprise to me.
“I was actually asleep on the coach to one of the games and Sham (George) woke me up, showed me his phone and said I’d been nominated and I was buzzing.
“At the awards, I was quite confident knowing that my performances both on and off the pitch were good and I was happy to win.
“It was a very enjoyable experience being there, seeing some of the Championship players you watch on TV when they play in front of me.
“It just shows the level I can get to, with hard work and sacrifice.
“It’s given me a taste of what I can achieve and it’s all down to hard work and making more sacrifices than I’ve done, so far.”
Tchamadeu has not looked back since becoming Colchester’s youngest-ever starting debutant in December 2020, at the age of 16 years and 349 days old.
The teenage defender, who started out in Charlton Athletic’s academy before switching to Colchester’s youth set-up, has gone on to make 42 league and cup appearances for the U's.
As recognised in the award, Tchamadeu’s strides for Colchester’s first team have been matched off the field, as he studies for his BTEC Sport qualification.
“Education has got a large part to play in this award,” he said.
“I do find it hard; being in the first team, the timetable is obviously a bit different so sacrificing my spare time to get back on top of my work plays a huge part.
“I feel as though I’ve managed to do that very well and the award is testament to the sacrifices I’ve made in my spare time.
“I’ve got two assignments to complete and an assessment, so together with training and games it is hard.
“That’s why on a day off, I come in and do some work – it’s all sacrifices.
“It’s paid off so far and it will continue to pay off.
“You’ve got to have the same mentality both on and off the pitch to succeed in life, not just football.
"That’s what I’ve shown and what I have to continue to show, throughout my whole career and whatever I do after football.”
Tchamadeu has to date made 31 league and cup appearances for Colchester this season, 19 of which have been League Two starts.
He has played his part in helping the U’s stay in the league, including a stunning stoppage-time winner to secure a 1-0 triumph over Tranmere Rovers – the youngster’s first professional goal.
Tchamadeu said: “I’m very happy with my performances, this season.
“I’ve come a very long way from last season, in terms of my performances.
“I feel more mature and also having the more experienced lads around me has helped me a lot, in terms of the way they speak to me and guide me through games.
“Having played next to Chambo, Easty, Smudge, there’s not much more you can ask for really with their experience.
“They’ve been in my position before, so they know exactly how I feel.
“To have them next to me in every game and every training session is a great feeling to have.”
Tchamadeu has shown versatility beyond his tender years for Colchester this season, particularly under interim head coach Wayne Brown.
In addition to playing in his familiar position of right-back, the teenager has also played in a more advanced role and as a left-back, as shown to good effect in the second half in last week’s 2-1 win at Newport County.
“I’ve worked on being able to play further up the pitch, in higher positions,” he said.
“End product is an area of my game where I’d like to improve and continue to improve by working in training and doing extra work after training.
“The gaffer has helped me a lot with playing in that position, telling me what he wants me to do, where he wants me.
“And being able to play left-back is a good trait to have and being able to use both feet is something that I’ve been working on for many years, since I started playing football.
“My Dad has guided me through that, going to the park – everything I do with my right foot, I replicate with my left so that’s where I’ve come a long way, using both feet.
“My Dad has got a love for the sport; he’s watched it almost all of his life, so for me to be making him proud is a great feeling for me and my family.”
Tchamadeu will be hoping to finish his second season as a senior player on a high, with two games remaining.
Colchester host Walsall tomorrow, with the young defender hoping to help them claim a third successive victory.
Tchamadeu said: “It’s a big occasion for us, with it being the last home game of the season.
“We’re looking to carry on our form and hopefully get another win and put a very solid performance.
“We ask for the fans to come and give us their full support, so we can get the win together and enjoy the experience.
“We want to finish as high as possible and with the squad we’ve got, this isn’t where we should be in the league fighting relegation.
“We want to try and gain maximum points from our last two games – that’s our aim.”
So where is Tchamadeu’s EFL prize currently taking pride of place?
“It’s on the mantlepiece and I’d love to add to that collection throughout my career,” he added.
“Hopefully, I can get many more awards.”
Share