Dominic Solanke is reportedly demanding a significant wage and some first-team football if he is to continue being a Chelsea FC player.
Chelsea FC prospect Dominic Solanke is currently embroiled in contract negotiations with the club, but the latest reports confirm that the youngster is playing hardball. Seemingly concerned about his career progression at Stamford Bridge, Solanke is looking for assurances over first-team football and wages in the region of £50,000 in order to stay.
The Telegraph is the source of the story, as they shed light on the contract impasse between the parties. The youngster is evidently not willing to roll over for the club and rightly so.
"[Solanke’s] list of demands is understood to include first-team guarantees and a contract worth over £50,000-a-week."
Reports emerged last week that contract negotiations had stalled and it appears as though Chelsea’s failures to graduate academy talent into the first team is haunting them.
Solanke has been impressing out on loan with Vitesse and has been gaining valuable exposure in the Eredivisie. However, at the age of 18 he is now in need of minutes at Premier League standard if he is to fulfill his potential. The greatest players start to make an impact at this age and thus the forward cannot afford to waste another season either on loan or on the bench.
Many may criticise Solanke’s wage demands as they are incredibly hefty, but this should not be viewed on a superficial level. His requirements should be taken as an indicator of his desire to stay with the Blues. He evidently doesn’t.
As one of the highest rated young strikers in the country, this will undoubtedly be disappointing news for the fans and the club. Unfortunately, Chelsea can have no-one to blame but themselves. John Terry was the last player to effectively graduate from the academy into the first team and consequently some of the club’s brightest talent are looking to get out.
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At this stage in his career, Solanke needs to be starting for a Premier League outfit. Should he decide to leave the Blues, there will be no shortage of teams willing to provide him with it.