Chelsea FC: Lille Interested In Kenneth Omeruo
Continuing our theme of young Chelsea FC prospects being linked to loan moves, centerback Kenneth Omeruo is being linked with a move to France with Lille. Omeruo is under contract with Chelsea until 2018 and spent the 2014/15 season on loan at Chelsea B aka Middlesbrough along with fellow loanees Tomas Kalas and Patrick Bamford.
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Bamford is the standout in the trio but Kalas and Omeruo had productive seasons under Aitor Karanka. Omeruo made 18 starts and 2 appearances as a substitute last season and also spent the second half of 2013/14 with the club.
His initial half-season was arguably more successful than the full season as he was an automatic first choice in 2013. He also spent a half season at ADO Den Haag FC of the Netherlands and was a regular first teamer but has since proven himself in a tougher league.
Lille would be another step up for the Nigerian youngster as in two season he would make the jump for the Dutch League, to the Sky Bet Championship, and next to Ligue 1. The French club is not taking part in European competition next season but they are a good side that is going through tough financial times.
![By Richard Mulder (groengeelhart.nl) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2F3407d749a98a276073ea0f899810d59f76a6b80517792806533b248ea039e2fa.jpg "By Richard Mulder (groengeelhart.nl) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons")
They are the same club that brought us Eden Hazard so Chelsea FC has done business with them in the past. Lille finished 8th in the league last season and are looking to reload a team that is just a few years removed from winning the league in 2011. Granted they did so with Gervinho, Moussa Sow, Yohan Cabaye, and Eden Hazard but the French league is known for producing and developing superstars.
Omeruo is unique among the Chelsea FC prospects because he is a full-fledged senior international. He has made 28 appearances for Nigeria since 2013 and made his national team debut when he was just 19 years old.
He has since been an unquestioned starter and started in all of Nigeria’s matches in the 2013 AFCON, 2013 Confederations Cup, and helped the Super Eagles advance to the round of 16 in the 2014 World Cup.
Still just 21 years old, Omeruo has a bright future and is still looking for the opportunity to fully display his talents. He has good size at 6’1″ and was considered one of the best defenders in the Championship.
His play made him a fan favorite at Boro and many believe that he will eventually make the Chelsea first team. A centerback partnership of Kenneth Omeruo and Kurt Zouma may still be a few years away but a good loan spell in France with Lille could help make it closer to reality.
Next: Chelsea FC: Middlesbrough Loan Perfect For Nathan Ake