We take a look at why the £27 million signing of versatile midfielder Cesc Fabregas could cause a magnitude of youth player exits at Chelsea this summer.
According to reports, Cesc Fabregas is close to a £27 million switch to Chelsea after three years in Barcelona, the club he left Arsenal for in 2011.
The signing of Fabregas, whilst exciting for supporters, is likely to dishearten three of Chelsea’s brightest young talents as their dream of breaking the Chelsea first-team scene next season ultimately gets shut down due to the Spaniard signing.
Lewis Baker, Nathaniel Chalobah, John Swift and Marco van Ginkel have all made strides in the past 12-months to put themselves in line to become a key component at Stamford Bridge next season; however, the arrival of Cesc Fabregas, along with the likes of Matic, Ramires and Co, is likely to stunt their pathway to the Chelsea first-team.
Marco van Ginkel, the most progressed out of the three, will be desperate to get first-team football next season, especially after such a long lay-off this season due to injury. Although Jose Mourinho is said to rate the Dutch international highly, I believe it will be unlikely the 21-year-old will be given a regular run of games at Chelsea next season.
Therefore, I believe, the best option for Chelsea and Marco van Ginkel would be for him to go out on-loan and get some game time based in England. However, Mourinho must be wary of creating another situation like the one with Lukaku.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Van Ginkel join Everton on-loan based on the strength of the Lukaku loan, which proved Martinez’s exemplary coaching and high standards. Although, if Everton do sign Gareth Barry as rumours suggest, Van Ginkel may have to look elsewhere for first-team football.
The other three, who are much further behind in terms of development, would all have likely been looking to head out on loan this season, regardless of the Fabregas transfer.
Chalobah has spent the last two-seasons on loan to Championship clubs, last season joining up with both Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest, whereas Baker and Swift are just emerging from a fantastic season in the Chelsea youth team.
It may not just be the four ‘traditional’ central midfield talents that have their squad place come under scrutiny if Fabregas was to join either.
The Barcelona star’s versatility, could damage any of the central midfield, or attacking, fringe players at Stamford Bridge next season.
For example, due to his days as an acting ‘false 9’ for both Spain and Barca, he is likely to be picked ahead of the likes of Patrick Bamford for a striker position, despite that being his primary role. Lucas Piazon, who is returning from Vitesse after an excellent season, could also get pushed out.
Therefore, it’s fair to say the exciting Fabregas signing is likely to see a magnitude of youth prospects leave the club, either on loan or permanent deals. But who will take advantage?
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