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Chelsea FC midfielder Oriol Romeu is back at Stamford Bridge after spending the 2014-15 season on loan at Stuttgart and has some big decisions to make about his future. The Spanish youngster has been on loan for the past two seasons at Stuttgart and Valenica respectively and has had varying levels of success at either club. At Valencia he was first choice for most of the season but injuries derailed his progress just as they did at Chelsea.
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Romeu had no such injury issues in Germany and was first choice for a club that finished just one point above the relegation zone. The former Barcelona youth spoke to the IB Times and said that he will be deciding on his future after the preseason. Last summer he spent the preseason with Chelsea and was given a first team squad number.
He was a regular in the preseason starting lineup and there were whispers that Jose Mourinho would be giving him a chance to play regularly when the season began. Romeu even signed a contract extension but instead of being a first-teamer he was sent on loan and there was more reason to believe that his career with Chelsea would never truly get off the ground.
At this point in his career, Romeu is at a crossroads. He must decide if he is capable of fighting for a place at Chelsea and face the possibility of another season on loan or if he will push for a move elsewhere. He may not end up at a club as big as Chelsea but at least he will have the chance to establish some sort of a rhythm at a club that is truly invested in him. For Chelsea FC, the decision is easy. It is time to let Romeu go whether or not they can recoup their original £8 million or so investment in the youngster.
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He is not good enough to become a regular first teamer and there are players within the Chelsea academy who would be better served in that backup role to Nemanja Matic or Cesc Fabregas. Homegrown players like Nathan Ake can fill that role and still learn under Mourinho.
There is no reason to give a non-homegrown player spot for someone like Romeu who is just not good enough for the position. Of course he could prove us all wrong and become a useful player for Chelsea but at this point with the combination of injuries and talent he has that does not look likely.
Chelsea would be better served to let him find another club where he can take the next step in his career or remain as he is. They may have him on contract until 2017 but unless he has an incredible season this coming year then his value may not increase enough to justify keeping him on board. He deserves to move on from what has been a difficult period in his career and find regular football elsewhere.
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