Blues to send squad players on temporary moves for 2013/14.
Check in to Transfer Window: Done Deal Alerts
Chelsea are close to agreeing deals to send three of their squad players out on loan for the 2013/14 season, it has emerged, with Demba Ba, Victor Moses and Nathaniel Chalobah looking unlikely to feature in Jose Mourinho’s first-team plans this year.
Reports broke this morning of Liverpool’s interest in loaning Moses for the season, and it looks like the Nigerian winger will be granted the temporary switch to Anfield in a bid to play more regular first-team football.
Moses only signed for the Europa League holders last summer after impressing with Wigan, but failed to make a great impression with limited appearances at Stamford Bridge. However, Reds boss Brendan Rodgers remains a fan of the player, and believes he could respond similarly to former Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge in regaining his best form if given the chance in a Liverpool shirt.
The 22-year-old faces a great deal of competition for places in the Chelsea squad, with new signings such as Andre Schurrle and Willian coming in, adding to the already vastly-talented trio of Juan Mata, Eden Hazard and Oscar, as well as youngster Kevin De Bruyne who has returned to the club this season after an impressive loan spell with Werder Bremen last year.
Liverpool, on the other hand, are short of wingers following the sale of Stewart Downing to West Ham, and Moses’ ability out wide, as well as an eye for goal, would be a big boost to their squad as they look to make an improved challenge on the top four this season. Moses had also been linked with a reunion with his former Wigan manager Roberto Martinez at Everton, though Liverpool have stepped up their interest after giving up on their pursuit of Porto winger Christian Atsu.
Ba also looks set to move on after only a short spell at Chelsea, with Roma closing in on a season-long loan for the Senegalese striker. The 29-year-old was in prolific form for Newcastle before joining Chelsea in January, where his form has since dipped considerably. With Fernando Torres and Romelu Lukaku ahead of him in the pecking order and Jose Mourinho keen to sign Wayne Rooney, Ba’s move is likely to become a permanent one next summer.
With Roma having sold leading scorer Pablo Osvaldo to Southampton, they have made Ba one of their main targets to add to their other summer signings Gervinho and Kevin Strootman, and the former West Ham man will be hoping to revive his career in Serie A.
Finally, hot prospect Nathaniel Chalobah is attracting interest from several clubs after an impressive loan stint in the Championship with Watford last season. It is believed that newly-promoted Crystal Palace are leading the chase for his signature, though they could be rivalled by the likes of Hull and Stoke.
The 18-year-old is a tough-tackling midfielder who can also play as a centre-back, and is highly regarded at Stamford Bridge, though he also faces plenty of competition from some established names in the Chelsea starting lineup. Mourinho has previously said that he feels the youngster could do with one more season out on loan.