Despite Jesse Derry only recently making his breakthrough into Chelsea's first team, the teenager is being heavily linked with a transfer away.
The 18-year-old was thrust into the limelight by former head coach Liam Rosenior during the latter stages of last season.
Unfortunately, a brutal head injury suffered against Nottingham Forest forced him to miss the remainder of the Blues' campaign, but there is hope he can continue his development under the incoming Xabi Alonso next time out.
However, according to recent reports, Derry has emerged as a summer transfer target for Sporting Lisbon.
Sporting Lisbon add Jesse Derry to summer transfer shortlist
Chelsea and Sporting Lisbon have a great relationship. The two clubs have reached agreements recently, including a £62.5 million deal for Geovany Quenda, who is set to stay with the Blues next season.
And looking to lean on their connections, Sporting Lisbon, according to a written report from A Bola (via Sports Mole), are now monitoring Derry's situation ahead of a possible approach.
The reason the Portuguese giants have entered the market for a new left-sided winger is because, in addition to Quenda, Pedro Goncalves may also leave the Jose Alvalade Stadium.
Should Goncalves move on this window, then Chelsea are being warned to expect Sporting's interest in Derry to grow.
The 18-year-old has three years left on his contract and is currently valued at less than £10 million.
Derry exit would make little sense
It's surprising to see Derry linked with such a significant move this early in his career. There is no doubting his potential, but he has yet to fulfil it.
Although Chelsea are obviously the bigger club, Sporting are still among Europe's best — proven by their run to last season's UEFA Champions League quarter-finals — and Derry still has limited senior experience having made his first team debut only in May.
Not only that, but with the left-flank a problem area following Alejandro Garnacho's dreadful form, it would be interesting to see how Alonso would use Derry.
The former Bayer Leverkusen manager is best known for his ability to improve players, especially young ones, so it seems Derry is the type of player who could benefit most from the 44-year-old's arrival next month.
Since joining Chelsea's under-21's from Crystal Palace 12 months ago, and prior to his promotion to the first team, Derry, who has represented England's under-19's on 19 occasions, scored seven goals and registered four assists in 21 appearances.
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