The huge number of squad players at the club are bound to give sleepless nights to Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, who has stuck to a full-proofed eleven who have been lucky not to pick up injuries or a dip in performance due to tiredness owing to their lack of participation in European competition. The boss is, however, finding it difficult to appease the younger talents who have been on loan.
The frustration has led to many voicing their concern over the issue, while some have decided to leave Stamford Bridge. One such example is Dominic Solanke. The 19-year-old is reportedly willing to move out due to a lack of game time and Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has admitted to it. He is out of contract in June.
Speaking of the player’s request to leave, Conte said: “I think this is his will. This question is better to ask him. I think for a young player to stay in a great team is a great opportunity. We have to respect every decision. Obviously, I have spoken with him to try and understand his will. I repeat we must respect every decision. His contract expires in June. I wish for him and his family in the future.”
A host of clubs are reportedly keeping tabs on his developments, which include the likes of Sunderland, Celtic, Everton, Newcastle and Liverpool. Although reports claim that he has already made a decision to join Liverpool, his first team chances don’t seem very bright at Anfield. A number of names are expected to arrive at the Merseyside club this summer and Jürgen Klopp will obviously not bet on a 19-year-old with little top-level experience to start.
A similar problem would arise with Everton, who already have an established striker in Romelu Lukaku and Koeman has been linked with other big names to beef up his attack. With England as Solanke’s preference, Sunderland have a realistic chance of landing the striker though David Moyes will have an uphill task in convincing him.
Chelsea would like to squeeze out as much as possible by his sale and has already offered him a new deal, which is reportedly in the region of £8million. The England under-21 international striker has been at Stamford Bridge since he was a five-year-old with many touting him as a future prospect for English football. Two years ago, England’s then senior squad manager, Roy Hodgson, had even invited Solanke to train with the senior team.
He has been out on loan to Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem, where he has netted seven goals in 25 games. Solanke is an out-and-out centre-forward and hasn’t been influential from the flanks as much. Given how dependent Sunderland are on their ageing Jermain Defoe, Solanke makes a perfect fit for the side that are facing an immense financial crisis. Earlier in the season reports suggested he was asking the Blues for £50,000-a-week to stay and although Chelsea rejected it, Sunderland could well negotiate something.
