Chelsea outcast blasts loan policy having not played for Blues since 2012

Lucas Piazon has hit out at Chelsea’s policy of keeping hold of players and loaning them out, claiming that they just see him as a “business”.

Piazon has spent his entire professional career owned by Chelsea, but has only made one Premier League appearance for them.

The Brazilian has spent time on loan at seven different clubs, and is currently in the second season of a temporary spell with Rio Ave.

However, Piazon – who remains under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2022 – thinks that model is “no longer beneficial” for either Chelsea or himself.

“After a certain point the connection is no longer beneficial for both parties,” he told Maisfutebol (via Goal).

“At first, I felt really good. I went through the under-23s, got to the first team and, even in the first loans, I felt Chelsea had expectations and interest in me.

“I believed I could come back and have opportunities at any time.


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“Later, as time passed, I became just another business for them. They send me out on loan with the expectation of selling me and making some money with me. I think that’s more or less what they think.”

Piazon is one of 29 Chelsea players currently out on loan – with others including Michy Batshuayi and Ross Barkley. His last appearance for the Blues was back in December 2012.

Now aged 26, Piazon made 19 appearances for Rio Ave in the Portuguese top flight last season.

Giroud unlikely to return to Ligue 1

Olivier Giroud TEAMtalk

Meanwhile, Olivier Giroud says a return to Ligue 1 is unlikely even if he chooses to leave Chelsea in January.

The French striker is one player who has stayed at Stamford Bridge, but is in the final year of his contract and could leave.

He was close to Serie A in January before links with the Italian top flight resurfaced in the summer.

Now, he has dropped a hint about where he could end up next, even if he is keen to fight for his place.

“For the future we will see what happens,” he said. “I will decide by evaluating the opportunities I will have.

“I’m not ruling out anything, but for now I don’t see me returning to Ligue 1.”

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