Jamal Clint-Ross Blackman is an English professional footballer who plays for club Chelsea. He is a former England U19 international.
Club career
Chelsea
Blackman joined Chelsea at U13 level and progressed through the club's youth system. He made his first appearance in a senior match day squad on 29 October 2011, sitting on the bench for a Premier League match against Arsenal which Chelsea lost 3–5 at home. He began to train regularly with the first team squad in the 2011–12 season and was an ever-present as Chelsea U18 won that season's FA Youth Cup. Blackman signed a new five-year contract with the club in June 2014.
On 31 August 2014, Blackman joined Championship club Middlesbrough on loan until January 2015. He made his full debut on 23 September 2014 against Liverpool in the third round of the League Cup as Boro drew 2–2 after 120 minutes but lost 13–14 in the resulting penalty shoot-out. His save from Raheem Sterling's shot forced the shootout to sudden death, in which Blackman scored against opposition goalkeeper Simon Mignolet from the spot. On 6 January 2015, following Mark Schwarzer's departure to Leicester City, Blackman was recalled from his loan spell to work as the third goalkeeper with the first-team squad behind Thibaut Courtois and Petr Čech.
Loan to Östersunds FK
On 18 March 2016, Blackman joined Swedish side Östersund on loan until 31 May 2016 to gain first-team experience. On 4 April, he made his Allsvenskan debut in a 1–1 away draw against Hammarby IF, playing the full 90 minutes. Later that month at Gefle IF, he kept a first clean sheet in a goalless draw.
On 15 August 2016, Blackman joined League Two side Wycombe Wanderers on loan until 3 January 2017. The following day, he made his debut against Accrington Stanley in a 1–1 draw at Adams Park. On 20 August, Blackman kept his first clean-sheet in 0–0 away draw against Blackpool. He then conceded 10 goals in the following 3 league games. On 1 January 2017, it was announced that Blackman's loan spell had been extended until the end of the season. After 52 appearances in all competitions for Wycombe, with the club narrowly missing out on the EFL League Two playoff positions by just one point, finishing 9th. At the club's end of the season awards in May 2017, Blackman won the Young Player Of The Year Award for the 2016/17 season.
On 27 July 2017, following agreeing to a new contract until 2021, Blackman joined Championship side Sheffield United on another season-long loan, making this his fourth loan in his career. Blackman was originally signed as second choice for number one goalkeeper Simon Moore, however after an injury to Moore in pre-season, Blackman established himself as first choice goalkeeper. He made his Sheffield United debut on 5 August as the season began with a 1–0 home win over Brentford. Against Queens Park Rangers he was stretchered off after he picked an injury on 31 October 2017, after colliding with team-mate Cameron Carter-Vickers which lead directly to a goal from Idrissa Sylla. He returned to the starting lineup from injury on 17 November in a 3–1 win against Burton Albion. From December 2017, Blackman lost his place in the side to Moore after picking up a groin injury, but returned on 10 February 2018 in a 2–1 win over Yorkshire rivals Leeds United at Bramall Lane, pulling off a vital save from Pontus Jansson. On 17 March, Blackman received the man of the match award after a string of saves in a 0–0 draw against Nottingham Forest. On 30 March, in the 1–1 draw at Brentford, he and opponent Ryan Woods were sent off for fighting over the ball after the hosts equalised. With Blackman only being at the club on loan, manager Chris Wilder decided to play Moore in goal for the final 5 games of the season. Sheffield United finished the season in 10th. Blackman played 33 times in all competitions during his loan spell, with United believed to have been interested in a deal to bring Blackman back for the following season.
Loan to Leeds United
On 16 July 2018, Blackman joined EFL Championship side Leeds United on a season-long loan to compete with Bailey Peacock-Farrell for the starting goalkeeper position. On 26 July, he was given the number 27 shirt for the upcoming 2018–19 season. On 14 August, Blackman made his debut, starting in an EFL Cup fixture against Bolton Wanderers. On 16 November 2018, Blackman suffered a broken tibia in his leg in a 3–0 defeat in an under-23 match against Birmingham City. Due to the severity of the injury, he returned to Chelsea, leaving Leeds with just one senior goalkeeper in Peacock-Farrell.
After his loan at Vitesse was cut short early, Blackman signed for Bristol Rovers on a six-month loan deal on 22 January 2020. He made his debut with Bristol Rovers on 25 January, in a 0–0 draw against Fleetwood Town.
International career
Blackman has represented England at U16, U17 and U19 level, and won the Victory Shield with the first in 2009. In August 2014 he received his first call up for England U21 team. Whilst he has represented England at youth level, Blackman is still eligible to represent Jamaica at international level due to his heritage.
