It promises more drama than a Premier League relegation scrap in Chelsea’s January transfer window. Stamford Bridge is readying itself for a midfield reshuffle, with Enzo Maresca eyeing loan exits for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Carney Chukwuemeka. But while Chelsea fans will be hoping to see some overdue squad clarity, there could be promise or peril afoot on the loan carousel for these young talents.
Just six months ago, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall joined Chelsea for a bumper £30m but has dropped out of the squad as far as a winter pie left out in the cold. It must feel for a player once seen as Leicester City’s linchpin to be swapped from the center stage of a big theatrical production to the understudy role in a middling off-Broadway show.
Enzo Maresca, one of Dewsbury-Hall’s former glories, is not sugarcoating the issue. ‘Yes, he was the most important for Leicester,’ Maresca told us in an interview. “It was definitely to prove he could be one of the other players in that team.” You have to accept that.” Ouch. That’s the MVP to the guy who brings oranges to practice deviation.
And news that Dewsbury-Hall could go out on loan for the remainder of the season will be welcomed by Leicester fans, who describe the news as discovering their favorite band has finally reunited for one final bow. His departure caused Leicester’s midfield to go missing from its usual gushing springs, leaving his homeland to explore over at the King Power Stadium. But wait—there’s a catch. Chelsea’s wage bill, which could gift us Power Rangers and Formula 1 supercars a justification, is on par with the GDP of a small country, and unless the Blues put something in the room, this deal could literally fail to see the line.
Carney Chukwuemeka: Crystal Palace’s Shiny New Target
Carney Chukwuemeka, meanwhile, finds himself adrift, just so, in a boat very similar to that which he is on, but between promise and obscurity. Aston Villa signed Chukwuemeka for £20m, and he arrived as the next big midfield sensation. But his Chelsea career so far feels more like one of those Netflix shows you casually watch for two episodes before going back to comfort Netflix reruns of “The Office.”
As the smart operators they are in the loan market, Crystal Palace has had their eyes on Chukwuemeka as a hawk has on its prey. Palace manager Roy Hodgson could offer the youngster precisely what he needs: creative freedom, regular minutes, and the main man. Chukwuemeka is a perfect fit for Maresca to loan out as well. ‘It’s probably better for him to leave and play 30 or 35 games rather than stay here and play less,’ he bluntly admitted.
You have to feel bad for the kid, honestly. Envision has enough talent to light up any team in the league but can’t even get into the rotation in a talent-rich market. It’s like being the best karaoke singer at a party with a bunch of professional vocalists…
The Verdict on Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Leicester City fans would dream of Dewsbury-Hall’s return, a pleasant surprise like finding a ten-pound note in their pocket. Chukwuemeka would be adding creativity and energy to Crystal Palace supporters’ midfield, too.
But Chelsea fans, understandably, are wary. These could be the smartest moves the January window has seen or just more entries in the ‘Future Regrets’ part of the club’s transfer ledger. In either case, the January window will definitely be a busy one.
Will Chelsea’s decisions help reignite two bright careers? Or is this another chapter of the Stamford Bridge saga of lost talents? And hopefully, a few 90-minute performances, and only time will tell.
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