Signed from Augsburg in 2015, Abdul Baba Rahman has had a frustrating time at Chelsea. The Ghanian defender has only made 15 appearances for the club since his hefty €20 m switch from the German side. He is now being chased by Turkish side Fenerbahce who wants to bring him in on a season long loan in January.
An attacking left back in nature, Rahman was brought in as a back-up for Mourinho’s title-winning squad. However, a disastrous season at Chelsea saw every player fail to perform and things had to be shaken from the 2016-17 season. Baba Rahman failed to impress new boss Conte and was sent out on loan to Schalke to get some much-needed game time.
Rahman’s season at Schalke was cut short in January when the player suffered an unfortunate anterior cruciate ligament injury while serving his country at the African Cup of Nations. He returned to Chelsea at the end of the season where he continued his rehab. He returned to fitness and first-team training in September.
However, he has not yet shown any glimpses of potential and good form since his return and Chelsea who had his name omitted from their Premier League and Champions League squads have not yet found a reason to rue their mistake. Come January, Chelsea will get the chance to shuffle around names in their squads and Rahman will be hoping to claw his way back.
The problem for Chelsea however, is the fact that they have a thin squad.16 senior player and a few youngsters is what Conte is using to sustain Chelsea in three competitions. Their life has been complicated further with injuries to their star players like Hazard, Morata, Kante, Moses, Drinkwater and Pedro who have all missed a certain part of the season.
Chelsea who failed to land a new left back in the summer are now left with Marcos Alonso as the only senior player in the left back position. Kenedy is a makeshift left-back but the Brazilian lack tactical discipline to succeed in that position and come January Conte might reconsider Baba Rahman’s inclusion in the squad.
It is certain that Chelsea will boost their squad in January with the signing of a left back a priority. However, buying players in this inflated market will not be easy and with Chelsea’s desperation to buy a left back imminent, clubs will play hardball to extract more money.
Hence it is crucial for Conte to oversee Rahman’s development and try and put him back in the squad. It would not only save them millions but also reignite a player’s career, something every manager prides himself in.
So in the light of such events, it would be foolish for Chelsea to sell Baba until they are sure of having cover at left back and also if the Ghanian is no longer able to play decent football, which is unlikely given he is only 23 at the moment.
