Michael Emanelo, upon his resignation, said that he was proud of Chelsea’s loan system and went on to add that Andreas Christensen was proof that the system worked wonders. While Christensen’s development testifies Emanelo’s comment, his statement is far from complete.
Chelsea have produced excellent youth products over the last few years. These kids have won every major trophy at the youth level. They have then been loaned out for further development. After that, things go horribly wrong. Christensen is probably the only second player after John Terry to climb through the club ranks and the only one in Emanelo’s ten-year tenure at the club.
Chelsea have lost fine young products in the process, many they have gone on to rue. It now seems that the Blues could be on their way to regret the sale of another player. Bertrand Traore, made his Chelsea debut in 2015 under Jose Mourinho. The Burkino Faso international worked hard to earn his way into the first team but then was harshly ruled out of enough first team opportunities.
Speaking on his time at Chelsea, he said, ‘I fought, I reached the first team.
‘But, in Chelsea, for a player from the training centre, it’s almost impossible to impose yourself as a starter.
‘And I wanted to be a starter. I’m proud of what I did there before I left.’
The player spent time out on loan at Vitesse and then Ajax but despite impressing with the Dutch champions, Chelsea felt the player did not have enough future at the club. The player who now demanded regular first team action, was finally allowed to leave on a permanent transfer to French side Lyon.
After just making 16 appearances for Chelsea in his entire tenure, he made an impressive start to the new season for Lyon, scoring six goals in 15 appearances for them.
Traore is now being linked with a move to Manchester United. Upon being quizzed about the idea of a reunion with the man who gave him his first senior debut appearance at Chelsea, Traore seemed positive.
‘Manchester United?’ he said.
‘Why not? I will work hard and, if opportunities open, why not?’
Mourinho already has Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial at the club as his forward options. On top of these young talents he also has the iconic Zlatan returning from a long term injury. With so many options up front and most likely to stay at United for years to come, it does not make sense for Jose’s men to chase another forward in Traore.
For Traore as well, the move would be a step back right now as this would see him spent time on the bench rather than playing football day in day out, something he is guaranteed at Lyon.
