Chelsea have overhauled their transfer strategy in the past few seasons. The Blues sold some of their unwanted-yet-high-profile players (Juan Mata, Kevin de Bruyne, David Luiz, Romelu Lukaku) and had reinvested the money effectively (Nemanja Matic, Cesc Fabregas, Mohamed Salah, Kurt Zouma et al) without compromising on the quality. The model not only brings profit but helps to comply with the Financial Fair Play rules at the same time.
However, many have voiced concerns about their handling of loan system. In the last few years, Chelsea have signed some of Europe’s finest young talents (Romelu Lukaku, Marco van Ginkel, Gael Kakuta et al) but not a single player has represented the first team for any considerable period of time.
It has a reached a situation now where either the players are being forced to leave (in case of van Ginkel, who wanted to stay at Chelsea but was sent on loan to AC Milan) or the players themselves are moving out elsewhere in search of regular first team actions.
Chelsea’s Brazilian forward Lucas Piazon is no exception to that rule. The Blues signed him for a reported fee of £5m (could rise to £10m depending on clauses) in 2011, after fighting off the interest of several European heavyweights including Juventus.
Since then, he has made only three appearances for Chelsea and was out on loan to Malaga, Vitesse and Frankfurt (currently playing) in the last three years.
During this time, the youngster has travelled extensively (England, Holland, Spain and now Germany) and has yet to settle properly. In an exclusive interview to German newspaper Bild, he says:
“I think it’s normal. Chelsea has so many very good players, because it would currently be difficult for me to find a place. Here I can play and gain experience.”
He is only 20 and wants to play for Chelsea again. At the same time, he is unsure about his long term future at the London club.
“I came from Brazil directly to Chelsea. Know all the people in the club. Of course, I wish once again to play there. But football is a surprise; because everything can change quickly.”
“I’m only 20 And as I said, anything can happen in football. If everything fits, of course I can imagine to stay in Frankfurt for longer time. Next week I pull out of the hotel in my apartment. And tomorrow my language course begins. Then I learn German.”
Piazon is an exciting forward, who has the potential to be a real superstar in future. But at this moment Chelsea have plenty of top quality players in his position and it’s hard to see him being drafted into Jose Mourinho’s first team next season, even if he performs well in Germany.
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