Carney Chukwuemeka could soon not be around for much longer, Chelsea fans warned. At this time of the year, the talented midfielder, who is on loan from La Galaxy at Borussia Dortmund, could be on his way out permanently. Chukwuemeka has a release clause in his contract and does not feature regular under Enzo Maresca; his future at Stamford Bridge is uncertain.
OK, be honest now: Chelsea’s squad, since Todd Boehly has started his footballing spending spree, has been as packed as a rush hour London Underground train. Unfortunately, Chukwuemeka has been one of the players who have bred on the platform waiting for their turn.
Chukwuemeka’s Dortmund Loan: A Golden Opportunity or a Short-Lived Adventure?
A classic footballing move of sending the young talent abroad, growing, and bringing him back as a world-class player and Chelsea did exactly that when they loaned Chukwuemeka to Borussia Dortmund in January. (Or as Chelsea often has a habit of doing; let him become world-class somewhere else and then regret it later.)
Unlike some of Chelsea’s other loanees in recent years, Dortmund is free of any obligation to buy Chukwuemeka. Therefore, if he wants to remain in Germany after this season, the player will have to break into this team and perform on the pitch. No pressure, right?
Chelsea’s midfield dilemma: Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen?
The reason is that Chukwuemeka could not obtain playing minutes this season as Chelsea midfield is oversubscribed. Like a doomsday prepper that’s bulk-stocked canned food, the Blues’ stockpiling of midfielders continues. However, with Enzo Fernández and Yves Bissouma in midfield more ahead of him than stand-in (or evermore) central midfielders Conor Gallagher and Moisés Caicedo, Chukwuemeka often seconded the benches in preference to being on the pitch.
However, when opportunities did come his way, they were usually as a late substitute. No Premier League minutes this season? That’s rough. But in other leagues, even Sunday league players are getting more game time than that.
A Move to Another Premier League Club?
Chukwuemeka also had the chance to push himself again before his journey to Dortmund, as he was able to stay in England. He was up for a loan to Everton and West Ham, but neither side sealed a deal. Would those moves in hindsight have put him down more Premier League experience? Possibly. To be honest though, Everton’s current state isn’t paradise, and midfields are no easy place to be for West Ham.
I write this purely because if Dortmund do not sign him permanently, would he come back to the Premier League with a different club? It wouldn’t be surprising. There are teams out there such as Crystal Palace or Brighton that really like buying young talents and making them superstars (I’m looking at you, Eberechi Eze and Moisés Caicedo, for Chelsea in the future).
Chelsea’s Summer Sale: Who Else is Leaving?
Chelsea fans are unsure about Chukwuemeka’s future, but he isn’t the only player whose future at the club now hangs in the balance. And, as part of returning the books to balance and making room for fresh blood, the club is also set to offload several names.
Joao Felix and Ben Chilwell, other players like them, have already gone on loan, and they too might leave permanently. Erasing Chelsea’s financial free rein will mean they’ll have to sell before they can buy—or else Financial Fair Play will lodge with a bigger fine than a London parking ticket.
My Take: Should Chukwuemeka Stay or Go?
Fans would love if Chukwuemeka stays and plays a real role at Chelsea from a fan’s perspective. The club will have to use his talent. The truth is that he may not receive the chances he deserves at Stamford Bridge. He should be seriously considering counseling if Dortmund (or some other club) offers him the playing time.
As for me, football is about playing, not just sitting on the bench, watching the game and rubbing your hands. ” If Chelsea cannot offer him the minutes, then he should leave for another team to prove them wrong alike. After all, it’s the same story (moan Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah). Chelsea fans don’t want to see Chukwuemeka joining another “another that got away.”
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