Jose Mourinho takes advantage of Chelsea with ‘up for sale’ star to be subject of Roma bid
Chelsea have decided to put a midfielder on the transfer list this summer and their former manager Jose Mourinho might be the one to benefit, according to a report.
Several players might have to leave Chelsea in the summer after their excessive spending in each of the past two transfer windows. There will be some casualties in their midfield, for example, after their record purchase of Enzo Fernandez in January.
Chelsea have already got rid of Jorginho, selling him to Arsenal that same month. Some others have been tipped to follow him out of the exit door for other destinations.
For example, N’Golo Kante is still of interest to Paris Saint-Germain despite confidence growing over his contract renewal. Furthermore, Chelsea are at serious risk of losing Mateo Kovacic and Mason Mount.
Reports have also listed Ruben Loftus-Cheek as someone who could make way. And the latest from Football Insider has shed some light on where he might end up.
According to the website, Loftus-Cheek has become a target for former Chelsea boss Mourinho at Roma.
The report also mentions AC Milan as being “incredibly keen” to sign him. Yet the fact that the story leads with Roma’s interest suggests they might be even more so.
Mourinho has viewed Roma’s midfield as their weak spot practically ever since he took charge of them in 2021. Therefore, after deciding to continue with the club into a third season, he is still searching for upgrades in the position.
Coincidentally, Mourinho actually gave Loftus-Cheek his senior debut for Chelsea back in 2014. In total, he used the academy graduate nine times during his second spell at Stamford Bridge.
Loftus-Cheek could continue career away from Chelsea
Since then, Loftus-Cheek’s career has been a series of highs and lows. He has 10 caps for the England national team to his name, but they all came in 2017 or 2018. Injury issues have affected him at various times since.
The 27-year-old has endured loan spells with Crystal Palace (in 2017-18) and Fulham (in 2020-21). Either side of them, he has amassed 149 appearances for Chelsea, including 27 this season.
But with his contract due to expire in 2024 and Chelsea currently unlikely to activate their 12-month extension option, the Blues will probably put him “up for sale” in the summer, per the report.
Although there is Premier League interest in his services, a move to Serie A seems like something that could develop.
By joining Roma, Loftus-Cheek would follow in the footsteps of Tammy Abraham, whereas a move to Milan would see him replicate a path taken by Fikayo Tomori.
Milan will be looking to end their association with Chelsea’s Tiemoue Bakayoko at the end of his loan spell, coincidentally. They might have more use for someone like Loftus-Cheek.
At Roma, on the other hand, he could become a long-term successor to ex-Blues midfielder, Nemanja Matic.
After 27 games of the Serie A season, Milan and Roma are fourth and fifth in the table respectively. Hence, either of them should have European involvement on offer next season, the target being the Champions League.
Clearly, Loftus-Cheek still has high-calibre suitors who believe in him. In the summer, he might have to make a bold decision about his future.
