Carney Chukwuemeka cannot go on loan this summer, according to Chelsea‘s insistence.
The gifted midfield player was certain to have a significant influence the previous season after making several appearances in the early going under Mauricio Pochettino’s leadership.
After all, the former Aston Villa star scored in the season’s first match, a 3-1 loss against West Ham. However, he suffered a knee injury shortly after and was out for the following four months.
After making his return against Fulham in January, Chukwuemeka was only used nine more times by Pochettino, and each time he played as a substitute.
The competition for places is only likely to increase once new manager Enzo Maresca gets his feet fully under the table and Chelsea accelerate their summer recruitment drive.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Blues have already turned away several loan offers for Chukwuemeka and have pointed to the fact the player has a £40 million release clause in his contract.
Chukwuemeka’s hopes of forcing his way into Maresca’s plans took a dent, meanwhile, on Tuesday after Chelsea confirmed the signing of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Leicester City.
Under the Italian coach’s tutelage last season, the 25-year-old’s game reached a new height as he was instrumental in the Foxes’ push for promotion.
I’ve been quite open about my opinions about the new head coach, Enzo Maresca. He is outstanding. He is the best. Chelsea’s webpage was informed by Dewsbury-Hall.
‘He completely changed the way Leicester wanted to play last season and we saw it worked.
‘I personally fell in love with the way he wanted to play and I know a lot of the other lads did as well.
‘I am very confident coming here that he is going to implement his style and that the lads are going to buy into it and are going to enjoy it.
‘With more time working with it, it will look more natural and when that happens, it is going to be really good for the football club.’