Lucas Piazon has embarked on yet another loan this season, but the player has justifiably stated that it is time he moves on from Chelsea and the loan army.
Chelsea’s extensive loaning system has sparked much debate in recent years. Some have championed it as a fantastic way of extracting the greatest value from unwanted players. Others have labelled it as a significant roadblock to effective youth development at Stamford Bridge. Lucas Piazon, for one, has had enough.
As the 22-year-old gears up for a season on loan at Fulham, he has expressed his desire to break free from the loan army.
"I’m tired of moving abroad. One, two, three loans, maybe that’s enough. It’s time for me to stay somewhere more than one year. When they know you’ll stay whatever happens, people look at you with different eyes. – via Daily Mail"
Piazon has been on Chelsea’s books since 2011, but his Fulham switch will mark his fifth loan since his arrival. After making his first-team debut in the 2012/13 campaign, Piazon may have been harbouring dreams of an illustrious Blues career. It has not turned out that way.
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Now, the Brazilian is evidently happy to end this chapter in his life. At his age, he can still develop into a decent player and make something of his potential. Stability is necessary for that to happen.
While Piazon’s loan spells have seen him call Spain, Holland and Germany (and Reading) home, he is closer than ever to home this year. Just around the corner from Stamford Bridge, the forward will be looking to help Fulham get back into the Premier League.
Hopefully, the convenience of the move will mean that this fresh start is not as difficult as some of his other ones. Furthermore, fellow loan army cadet Tomas Kalas is with him at Craven Cottage, providing a familiar face to begin with.
The forward’s stint with Reading last season was not overly impressive, but Fulham have recognised his underlying talent by bringing him over. After a few years out of the top flight, Fulham look more ready than ever to return. They are currently sitting in 2nd place with an unbeaten Championship record.
Piazon has accepted that this will be an audition for a permanent move somewhere next summer. He only has two years to run on his Chelsea contract and will be pushing for an early exit in the likely event that Antonio Conte does not want him.
The good news is that decent performances with Fulham could seal a permanent switch to the neighbours. In addition to the ease of the move, the Cottagers will be in the Premier League next season should they perform to their ability.
Then, Lucas Piazon can truly show the world what he has in his locker.