Chelsea FC Loanee Oriol Romeu’s Career Is At A Crossroads
Chelsea FC loanee Oriol Romeu has been a largely forgotten man. When Chelsea fans discuss the exciting midfield prospects that the Blues have, names like Marco van Ginkel, Lucas Piazon, Bertrand Traore and several others come up before Romeu’s name is even mentioned.
Even Josh McEachran has more name recognition then the Spanish midfielder. Romeu is spending the 2014-15 season on loan at Stuttgart and has come out in the past speaking about needing a level of stability in his career. He wants to give up the life of being loaned out to a new club every season but most recently has reaffirmed his commitment to play for Chelsea FC once again.
In a lengthy conversation with the Daily Mail, Romeu went over his brief history with Chelsea FC. He begins by discussing why he left Barcelona and how he was given a chance under Andre Villas-Boas. After AVB was sacked, Romeu explains that interim manager Roberto Di Matteo decided to focus on playing the veterans rather than youngsters like him.
Romeu was also one of the few Chelsea players who actually enjoyed playing under Rafa Benitez and claims that the Spanish manager tried to sign him on loan at Napoli this season.
Constantly changing managers certainly stunted Romeu’s development in the team but it has been his own body that has done the most damage. Ever since he suffered his initial knee injury again Sunderland almost 2 1/2 years ago, Romeu has struggled to maintain full fitness for long stretches of time. His loan last season to Valencia was hampered by those injuries but this season he has been injury free and has played well in the Bundesliga.
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This past summer Chelsea signed him to a new three-year contract and this extension was seen as a sign that manager José Mourinho has Romeu in his long-term plans. It could also just mean that Chelsea want to maintain some leverage over his future in case they decide to sell him on to another club.
Whatever the case may be, Oriol Romeu has expressed his desire to return to Chelsea and is using Nemanja Matic as his example. Matic was sold to Benfica as part of the David Luiz deal but has since returned and has become one of the clubs most important players. Romeu would actually be a very competent back up to Matic in a position where Chelsea FC does not have much depth.
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Unfortunately for Romeu he has several things going against him. First is his status as a non-homegrown player would impact his availability for the senior squad. Also there are several other midfield prospects that Chelsea may or may not rate higher then the former Barcelona youngster.
Still he is just 23 years old and could represent an upgrade or at least a suitable replacement for someone like John Obi Mikel. Mourinho appears to have a soft spot for the Nigerian midfielder but if Romeu can provide the same level of play at a cheaper wage then maybe he will be given a chance.
Romeu’s career is at a crossroads in the summer represents his last chance to make the Chelsea senior squad. If he is unable to break into the squad then for his sake the Blues should sell him on to another club.
They only spent 5,000,000 pounds on him if you use ago so selling him on would not represent much of a loss. Unfortunately for Romeu his career got off to a promising start at Chelsea but injuries and other factors have derailed his chances.
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