Athletic: Chelsea consider sale of popular attacker, “number of teams” interested despite clauses | OneFootball

The Athletic’s Deal Sheet for the week is out, and as always it’s full of interesting Chelsea bits.

“A number of teams” keen on George loan or purchase

Tyrique George against LAFC. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

There are updates on all the usual stories which we’ve been talking about all week – plus some hot and fresh new gossip about a Chelsea squad player.

Tyrique George started to make a real impact for the Blues last season in the Conference League, and scored one of the most important goals of the season when he struck against Fulham in April.

But the club are now considering either loaning him or selling him, according to this piece.

Chelsea are talking with his representatives to “figure out the best option going forward.”

The Blues are considering loan deals – but none with a buy option. Chelsea would also consider a sale – but only with a buy back clause and a sell on fee.

The Athletic report that “a number of teams in Europe” would be interested in either scenario.

George sale would be a huge mistake for Chelsea long and short term

We’re usually against the sale of academy players, but in this case it would seem particularly mad.

George is developing into a top player, he’s home grown and on low wages. He’s happy to sit on the bench for most of the time. It doesn’t seem like he will be too starved of game time either – Pedro Neto, Jamie Gittens, Estevao Willian are our current true wingers.

Even if Xavi Simons is signed as expected, that still just means 4 players for 2 spots. Keeping 5 for 2 wouldn’t be crazy at all – you’re just one injury or suspension away from having two players per position, which is what we want anyway.

A loan (but certainly one that it’s possible to terminate in January) might just about make sense, but a sale is a bad idea in our opinion.