Chelsea move towards De Bruyne 2.0 with £100k-p/w ace

Todd Boehly he has certainly backed up his ambitions since taking office Chelsea signing players left, right and center for the first teams and academy teams in May 2022.

The American has dropped over £1.2 billion on new additions in his almost three-year stay in West London, providing Enzo Maresca with all the ammunition needed to succeed in Premier League.

Undoubtedly, such erratic jobs have left former managers struggling, but the Italian eased into life at Stamford Bridge, eventually building a settled side for the league and cup.

Such a schedule will not suit every player, with many having to settle for either minutes off the bench or, at worst, struggling for any first-team action given the huge number of players currently on the books.

One player has fallen into such a category, and the Blues star is almost certain to move from Most this month, which has led to the interest of a European team.

The Chelsea star is wanted by the Bundesliga giants

According to Sky Germany journalist Patrick Berger, the Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka is a target of the Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund this month, with a possible loan with a buyout option.

The 21-year-old joined the Blues from Aston Villa in 2022 for a reported £20mbut his time in the capital has been limited to say the least, leaving him on the fringes of the first-team squad.

He is presented only for together 131 minutes in all competitions during 2024/25, starting just one game in the European Conference League – with Chukwuemeka pushing for a late January move.

Berger claimed Dortmund boss Nuri Şahin is a “big fan” of the Englishman, following in the footsteps of Ian Maatsen, who joined the German side on loan this time last year.

However, should He earns £100,000 a week move permanently to Signal Iduna Park, it may be a big mistake on Maresca’s part to let him leave, potentially replicating the mistake made when the former talent was allowed to leave and move to Germany.

Why Chukwuemeka could repeat De Bruyne for Chelsea

Attacking midfielder Kevin De Bruyne joined Chelsea back in January 2012 for a reported £6.7mbefore rejoining Belgian side Genk on loan until the end of the season.

He would subsequently spend the following campaign on loan at German club Werder Bremen, impressing during his temporary spell, registering ten goals and nine assists in only 34 performances.

Such form catapulted him into the first team of the Blues, but later only nine performances in the first half of the 2013/14 season. becomes a permanent member of Wolfsburg for around £16.7 million – earning £10m from the deal, but a decade on, the deal appears to have been a big mistake.

De Bruyne starred with increased minutes, scored 20 goals and 35 assists – which ultimately led to a £54million move back to England to join Manchester City in 2015 – a move that has since seen him become one of Europe’s leading playmakers.

The now 33-year-old has scored more in the meantime 100 times and registered over 150 assists under Pep Guardiola at the Etihad, helping the Citizens win five consecutive Premier League titles – something that could have happened to the Blues had they kept hold of the Belgian.

Fast forward a decade and Chelsea are faced with a similar prospect in the form of Chukwuemeka who, like De Bruyne, could be heading to Germany after limited playing time at the Bridge.

The 21-year-old, who was previously called “superstar” talent by scout Jacek Kulig, he never got a sustained game in the side, especially under Maresco, to prove what he was capable of.

Undoubtedly, given his tender age, he seriously needs regular game time to reach the potential he came with after his move, which is why a loan would be a better option than a permanent one.

Should it be a permanent transfer, Dortmund would gain another top English prospect – potentially following in the footsteps of Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham – with Chelsea’s loss undoubtedly their gain.