Chelsea FC Must Decide On Bertrand Traore’s Immediate Future
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The news broke earlier this week that Chelsea FC youngster Bertrand Traore had finally qualified for a work permit in the United Kingdom. A work permit of course means that he is now legally able to play for Chelsea or any other club in the UK.
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Bertrand signed his Chelsea contract in October 2013 and was very impressive during the teams preseason tour in Asia prior to the signing. Bertrand had just turned 18 when he signed the 4 1/2 year contract and was sent out on loan almost immediately.
After impressing at Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem for two seasons, the time has come for Bertrand to move on to a higher league and on to a greater challenge. In his second season with Vitesse, Bertrand scored 14 goals and contributed five assists to the team and was one of their best players.
Now the question remains whether Chelsea FC will keep Traore in the senior squad or if they will send him out on loan for further seasoning. The youngster is going to travel with Chelsea to the United States for their preseason tour and he will get another chance to further impress José Mourinho. The Chelsea boss is reportedly already a big fan of the Burkina Faso youngster and is keen to see exactly what he is capable of.
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Mourinho has already shown last season that he is willing to work youngsters into his squad and not just for cameo appearances. Kurt Zouma is the prime example as the French defender was at one point in the season the first choice center back alongside John Terry.
Traore’s versatility is perhaps his best asset as Mourinho prefers players who can fit into multiple roles in his team. He is capable of playing as a striker as well as out on the wing and given the lack of offensive contribution from the right wing position, Mourinho may opt to play him out wide.
Still, the best option it seems for Bertrand is to go out on loan for at least one more season. He has more than proven himself at the Dutch league level but perhaps a loan to a Premier League club would be more suitable to test his talents.
There are several clubs in the English top-flight that are in need of striker talent but simply cannot afford top-tier players. We have seen in the past that the right loan move can be beneficial for both parties and that signing the right player on loan can vastly improve a club’s fortunes.
For example, signing Romelu Lukaku on loan turned West Bromwich Albion from a relegation contender to a comfortable mid-table club. Perhaps a team that finished close to the bottom of the table could look to Bertrand as a possible solution for their goal scoring woes.
The same could be said of one of the three clubs who have received a promotion. Bournemouth has already taken Christian Atsu on loan but Watford or Norwich City could be ideal landing spot for the youngster.
Bertrand could also be loaned out to a club in Spain, Germany, or France with similar results. Regardless of where he ends up, it does seem to be the right move for Bertrand to go out on loan. For one more season before becoming a full-time member of the Chelsea squad.
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