5 Promising Chelsea FC Players Let Go By Jose Mourinho
Ryan Bertrand
How much would Chelsea like to have Ryan Bertrand back at Stamford Bridge?
Bertrand joined the Blues at the age of 15 and was nurtured through his teen years by the academy staff. When I say nurtured, I really mean farmed out. The full-back was loaned out seven times after joining the club in 2005, but was highly-rated by the Chelsea staff.
RELATED: Ryan Bertrand: I Should Still Be At Chelsea FC
He broke into the senior squad during the 2010/11 season, and made sporadic appearances over the next four years. His only real campaign as a Blues player was during the season partly managed by Rafa Benitez, when he made 38 competitive appearances.
Nonetheless, it was evident that Bertrand was a supremely talented player, and a quality replacement for Ashley Cole in the left-back spot. Furthermore, he showed his versatility by starting the triumphant 2012 Champions League Final in the left-wing role, putting in a solid performance. That was in fact his European debut and his involvement in quite possibly the greatest night in Chelsea FC’s history means that he will never be forgotten at Stamford Bridge.
Despite this, he didn’t cut the mustard for Mourinho and was sold to Southampton this past February, having been on loan at St Mary’s for the first part of the season.
Bertrand subsequently went on to prove his quality by doing enough to be named in the PFA Team Of The Year for 2014/15.
How great does Bertrand and Azpilicueta at left- and right-back sound now?
Next: Jeffrey Bruma