Chelsea FC have expressed interest in recalling on-loan defender Michael Hector
Chelsea FC are reportedly interesting in recalling Jamaican international defender Michael Hector from his season long loan to Reading FC. The Blues purchased the youngster from the club on transfer deadline day from the club for a reported fee of £4.5 million but sent him back on loan immediately. They reportedly outbid QPR for his services even if they did not bring him to the club right away.
With Jose Mourinho already telling the media that he will not be making any additions to the squad in January, he has several options from the massive loan army at his disposal. The defense will be a priority for the manager and he has several impressive options to choose from in that regard. Andres Christensen and Tomas Kalas have excelled in their respective loans but Hector has been identified as the man for Mourinho.
Reading executive Samrit Thanakanchanasut confirmed the Blues’ interest and told Goal.com that “Chelsea want [Michael Hector] back early but I think we’ll retain him as we agreed until the end of the season.” It is unclear what Thanakanchanasut’s exact role with the club as he is described as a club “executive” or “official”.
Hector operates primarily as a centerback and with a tough holiday schedule coming up the Blues need some depth in that area. Papy Djilobodji is linked to a move to Besiktas and John Terry may not be capable of playing three matches a week anymore. Hector gives Mourinho one more option in case of injury and it may be time for him to move up from the Championship to the Premier League.
While Chelsea FC supporters may prefer a new big name signing, few of the club’s January moves have paid off in recent years. The better option may be to bring in a young player who is willing to accept less minutes than a star signing and not cause any more disruption in the squad.
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This all goes out the window of course if Chelsea brings in a player they believe is capable of starting straight away, someone like John Stones perhaps. Hector would not be a first choice player at Chelsea but if Mourinho wants to bring him in to the fold and include him in the squad then the Blues should make it happen.