The man once sacked by Chelsea for throwing a smoke grenade at their plush training ground will be hoping to let off a few bombs in Brentford's back four tonight.
Former England U16, U17 and U19 international Jacob Mellis was shown the door by the Blues, who he joined from Sheffield United for £1million in 2007, two years ago following the incident at the Cobham complex.
The grenade had been brought in by team-mate Billy Clifford, and letting it off caused not only the whole training ground to be evacuated, but Chelsea to rip up Mellis's contract.
The 23 year old midfielder then spent two years with Barnsley before becoming part of Blackpool's hastily gathered squad in the last few weeks following a summer of turmoil in which they started pre-season with no manager and only half a dozen players.
Mellis was identified as one of Blackpool's men to watch, along with striker Ishmael Miller and midfielder John Lundstram , by William Watt, of the Blackpool Gazette .
Miller scored goals for Man City, West Brom, QPR, Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough and Yeovil before joining the Seasiders earlier this month, while Lundstrum, who like Mellis has played for England's U17s and U19s, as well as their U16s and U20s, joined on loan from Everton, having also enjoyed loan spells with Doncaster, Yeovil and Leyton Orient.
Watt said: “Jacob Mellis was highly rated by Chelsea before the smoke bomb incident and played in the Champions League for them. He was Barnsley's player of the year but turned down a new contract there. He has looked decent on the ball so far.
“John Lundtsram, like any talented young Scouser, has been talked up as the next Steven Gerrard. He played for Everton's first team in pre-season and is thought to be not far off making the step up regularly. He is good on the ball, can tackle and gets around the pitch well.
“Ishmael Miller is yet to score but looks a real threat. He is big and strong and got into double figures for a Yeovil side which was relegated last season.
“New boss Jose Riga only had nine players registered for the first game and had no training together or time to prepare, but after signing 16 in the last two weeks they are all registered now and things are looking far more positive.”
