Chelsea will reportedly demand the full £40 million release clause for attacking midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka, according to the BBC.
The England youth international has been linked with an exit from Stamford Bridge as he has found playing time hard to come by since his £19 million move from Aston Villa.
Chukwuemeka has started one game this season, and it was in the Europa Conference League. He has not appeared in the Premier League, with manager Enzo Maresca opting to play Cesare Casadei ahead of him.
With the lack of opportunities to strut his stuff for Chelsea, the player will likely consider a chance to get out of London and gain some experience.
AC Milan, Everton, and West Ham United are reportedly interested in the Chelsea star but will baulk at the £40 million price tag set by the Blues.
The trio are not the most financially buoyant and want to take him on loan before considering a permanent deal (at a lower fee).
In our view, Chelsea should resist the urge to part ways permanently with Chukwuemeka and instead loan him out for a season or two. The Blues must remember that raw talent needs careful nurturing.
He has already showcased flashes of brilliance, and a loan spell could be exactly what he needs to refine his abilities and build the confidence required for a high-pressure environment like Chelsea.
Clubs such as Everton would allow him to develop in a competitive setting without the immediate scrutiny he faces in London. He will also improve defensively under Sean Dyche (a weakness in his game).
This strategy benefits Chelsea in two ways. First, they could reintegrate a more polished, experienced version of Chukwuemeka, capable of competing for a first-team spot.
Second, if reintegration isn’t feasible, a successful loan spell could drive up his market value, allowing the Blues to negotiate a fee higher than his current £40 million release clause.
Letting him leave permanently at this stage risks underselling a potential future star. With a calculated loan, Chelsea ensure they don’t lose sight of both his potential and their long-term interests.
