Chelsea FC’s first-team are now active in three competitions, unlike Lucas Piazon, whom Chelsea declined to loan but have only used him in one Premier League 2 game. Why? Why would they do this?
The day after the transfer window closed we wrote a piece many of you enjoyed about how Lucas Piazon survived the loan process and looked ready to enter Chelsea’s first team. He seemed to have everything in his favour: a series of successful loans in England and abroad, a manager with a penchant for Brazilians, the physical profile of a player Maurizio Sarri could convert from winger to false-nine a la Dries Mertens and lingering uncertainty around what Sarri’s plans were in case he ever had to leave out both Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata.
Our optimism was premature. Our analysis erroneous. Our faith misplaced in the club, faith which they spurned, immolated and micturated upon the ashes. If that’s how we feel, what must Lucas Piazon be thinking right now?
The Carabao Cup was Piazon’s last hope. The club excluded him from the Europa League squad, a competition for which he seemed well-suited. He played on loan in the Netherlands, Germany and Spain. He understands the continental game, which can be an advantage for an English club in European competition. And, obviously, he would allow Maurizio Sarri to rest Eden Hazard, Pedro, and possibly Willian and the strikers if he grew into the false-nine.
After he was left off the Europa League squad, the lower of the domestic cups became his last chance saloon. Sarri carried over most of his preferences from the Premier League to the Europa League, but even he would have to rotate for the Carabao Cup. This meant whoever started in the Carabao Cup could challenge for the depth spots in the Premier League and Europa League. Sarri’s overarching risk aversion led him to populate the Carabao Cup bench with players from his best XI, just in case. And that was the case, as he introduced Eden Hazard, N’Golo Kante and David Luiz in the second half.
Victor Moses had an impressive first half, so he could find himself getting more time in the higher competitions. Callum Hudson-Odoi did not leave the bench, which means he will struggle to see senior-level playing time despite Sarri’s and Gianfranco Zola’s praise of his talents and prospects. And Ethan Ampadu, like Piazon, was not even on the bench.
But unlike Ampadu and Hudson-Odoi, Piazon is 24 years old. He is entering his prime years kicking about with the Reserves, for whom he is one of the designated senior players in match-day squads as the Premier League 2 is an under-23 league. Ampadu and Hudson-Odoi still have much to learn and gain from the PL2. Piazon can do nothing there but go backward.
There is simply no readily available explanation, let alone justification, for Chelsea’s handling of Piazon. Only an unreported injury would make a bit of sense for why the club held him back.
If they do not think he is ready for or worthy of a first team spot, they should have sold him or loaned him. Fulham would be happy to take him for another season. If this was his alternative Piazon would likely have accepted lower wages and asked Chelsea to accept a lower fee so Fulham could afford him, simply so he could play.
There were no reports of any discontent, acrimonious negotiations or ultimata between the parties. Heaven knows Chelsea’s Brazilian contingent are not shy about expressing their emotions towards the club. If Chelsea are spiting Piazon, we would know why.
But we do not know this why.
A technical director (325 days since Michael Emenalo resigned) would not have allowed this to happen or, if he did, would be promptly sacked for gross incompetence. We can only blame so much on Roman Abramovich’s issues with the UK government for the lack of leadership in the club.
Chelsea could always bring Piazon out for the next round of the Carabao Cup, assuming they face easier competition than Liverpool. The Premier League will only get harder and the winger depth chart is now fully stacked, so his hopes there are mostly gone. Even if he does play, what is the point and purpose? A few minor games for Chelsea instead of weekly appearances elsewhere is not a worthwhile trade-off.
There’s little reason for optimism, which in a way is good. We don’t want to be fooled again.