Report: “sudden late interest” the only thing that can save £10m a year international | OneFootball

It’s been a quiet January at Chelsea so far – somewhat contrary to expectations.

We didn’t expect a lot of players coming in, but we did expect some of the spare parts which weren’t shed in the summer to finally get a move after a painful 6 months on the bench.

But so far, the only player to depart has been one who was regularly used, and racked up 18 appearances in his half season at the club. Renato Veiga’s loan to Juventus was almost as puzzling as the fact that the likes of Carney Chukwuemeka and Ben Chilwell are still hanging around.

At least Chukwuemeka has serious interest, and looks likely to leave – albeit on loan – before next Monday’s deadline. There’s been almost no chatter about Chilwell, bar some very spurious connections to West Ham and Everton, and now we’ve got some inside knowledge on the matter painting a very gloomy picture indeed.

Chilwell and Chelsea’s cat and mouse game hurting all parties

Ben Chilwell in warmups for Chelsea (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Kieran Gill’s piece for the Daily Mail today claims that Chilwell is “set to stay at Chelsea,” barring any miraculous “sudden late interest.”

It’s mind-boggling that the 28 year old England international who was a key player for this team just a couple of years ago now can’t even get in the B team, and now can’t find an interested suitor.

The only possible explanation is his vast wage packet – but surely the former Leicester man will be willing to compromise on that a little? Or surely Chelsea would be happy to pay half of them to get half of them paid on loan somewhere? It certainly beats paying all of them.

This game of cat and mouse between player and club is hurting them both, and we can only pray that a last minute option does appear, for everyone’s sake.