Reliable source names high-profile star who is ‘likely to leave’ Chelsea as two other deals take precedence
Chelsea have decisions to make about three of their midfielders and it has now emerged that one of them is “likely to leave” the club, per a report from a trusted source.
Plenty of changes have taken place at Chelsea over the past few months and more could follow this year. Currently 10th in the Premier League, they need to think about how to modify their squad for future success.
They have already been building for the future by signing lots of promising youngsters. But they also need to look for players they can bring in to have an instant impact.
What’s more, a few existing players have reached a stage where Chelsea need to decide whether to keep them or let them go.
In midfield, Jorginho and N’Golo Kante are into the final six months of their contracts. Furthermore, Denis Zakaria’s loan spell will conclude at the end of the season.
A similar problem could repeat next year, since Mateo Kovacic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mason Mount are out of contract in 2024.
Now, a report by Matt Law for the Daily Telegraph has revealed what the future may hold for three of those six players.
It is claimed that Chelsea are currently focusing on contract extensions for Kante and Mount. Although the former has struggled with injury this season, he is still seen as someone worth keeping around, amid interest from elsewhere.
Meanwhile, Mount has been a success story for Chelsea’s academy. Thus, it would be fitting to see him extend his association with the club.
While work continues on those two deals, it has now become apparent, per the Telegraph, that Jorginho is “likely to leave” at the end of the season.
Chelsea believe the Italy international is likely to return to Serie A, or opt for a new challenge in a different league. They could yet offer him a big contract to stay in the Premier League. But as stated, it is not their most pressing issue.
Therefore, Jorginho could be approaching the end of his Chelsea career. Since joining them from Napoli in 2018, he has made 210 appearances for them, scoring 29 goals.
Jorginho wasn’t initially well received at Chelsea but began to win his critics over as time passed. Currently, he serves as the club’s vice captain to Cesar Azpilicueta.
Hence, not only would Chelsea be losing a valuable player by allowing Jorginho to walk away, but they would also be reducing their leadership group.
Chelsea to evolve midfield without Jorginho
Yet at the age of 31, Jorginho may no longer represent the long-term future of Chelsea’s midfield. It appears the club would rather continue with Kante if they had to pick between them.
Then, in the summer, they will look for a world-class midfielder to add to the department. The report claims they remain admirers of Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Enzo Fernandez, as well as Brighton pair, Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister.
With so many options to pick from for their future, Jorginho could end up being left behind. But his Chelsea career will be classed as a success when it concludes. After all, he has won the Champions League and Europa League with them.
He also finished third in the voting for the Ballon d’Or in 2021, after winning the Euros with Italy.
Perhaps he will be back in Serie A soon. Although the report seems confident any departure would be on a free transfer in the summer rather than for a fee in January.
Due to his contract status, Jorginho is eligible to speak to his suitors outside England now.
Losing him for free after paying £50million to buy him will be a financial blow for Chelsea. Some may wonder whether it would represent good business, despite what he has ended up achieving with the club.
But that is not Jorginho’s problem. Instead, he will have to focus on what he can control: his performances until the end of the season. Beyond then, he may have to find a new club where he can establish himself again.
