Chelsea can provide Bristol Rovers with popular transfer coup | OneFootball

Chelsea youngster Harvey Vale would be warmly welcomed back by Bristol Rovers supporters

December is upon us, which can mean only one thing – it’s almost time for the January transfer window to open.

After what was a busy summer of recruitment for the Gas they may have thought they wouldn’t need to do much business in January. But with Bristol Rovers currently struggling to inspire their fanbase, Director of Football George Friend may need to look for a spark that can reignite the faith among passionate Gasheads.

Look no further, then, than young Chelsea prospect Harvey Vale who Rovers fans would love to see back at the Mem.

It’s a tough balance for any young player to strike between gaining more experience of senior football and maintaining high aspirations of making a breakthrough into the senior ranks of the team whose Academy system you have grown up in. The Chelsea youngster is facing this choice.

Currently playing in Premier League 2 for their under-21's, many feel Vale is being under utilised by the Blues and should be being offered more opportunities. The 21-year-old has continued to make waves this season with standout performances in the EFL Trophy and in Premier League 2. Perhaps this is what drove Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca to use Vale off the bench against FC Astana in the Europa Conference League on Thursday as he played 23 minutes of their 3-1 win in Kazakhstan. Vale was the only player on that bench with a senior cap for the Blues.

Harvey Vale was a popular addition to Bristol Rovers' ranks

Winner of the under-19 Euros in 2022, as England skipper no-less, Vale went on to have a successful stint at the Memorial Stadium, making 47 appearances, scoring three times with six assists. During his season-long loan to Rovers, Vale was a favourite among the fanbase and showcased his skills and versatility, playing in a number of different positions.

Originally thought of when he signed as an attacker, he would end up spending most of his time at left-back - demonstrating his defensive skills as well as his creativity and ability to drive forward, quickly turning defence into attack.

Re-signing him would bring all those qualities back to life and make Gas such a force once more in League One.

Competition likely to be high for the Chelsea youngster Harvey Vale

The Chelsea graduate will likely be highly sought-after come the opening of the transfer window on January 1st. The youngster has been tipped to be a Premier League star of the future and, with his quality, it’s almost a certainty that Championship clubs, at least, will be tracking Vale’s progress. Those pushing for promotion to the Championship will also be strong challengers for Vale’s signature.

Any transfer would also likely depend on a number of other factors, including where Chelsea see Vale on his development path, how much they might ask for a youth prospect who has already made several appearances for their senior side, and where the Gas sit in the League table come January.

Vale was on the verge of signing for the Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq in the summer, which makes it more probable that he'll find a permanent move away from the Blues in January. Many Gasheads will certainly be hoping that the new Bristol Rovers hierarchy can bag this transfer coup and that Vale chooses the Memorial Stadium as his next destination. What a way to revive the mood around the club that would be.