Chelsea Transfer Rumours: Departure of Oriol Romeu Makes Sense for Both Sides

We'll spend most of the summer debating which major stars Chelsea should add under new manager Jose Mourinho, how much money they should spend to obtain them and whether or not those new players are the right fit for the club.

Meanwhile, the team still has plenty of players already on the roster who, while talented, would probably be best served moving away from Stamford Bridge this summer.

Oriol Romeu looks to be one of those players and, according to Duncan McMath of ESPN, could be very close to departing the Blues:

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Chelsea midfielder Oriol Romeu looks likely to return to Spain this summer, according to various reports in Spain.

Both sports dailies AS and Marca claim he will move to Sevilla, however the 21-year-old is linked with the city’s rival teams.

Marca suggests it is Real Betis who will sign the former Barcelona youth-teamer. AS expects him to be used by Jose Mourinho as part-exchange for Sevilla’s French midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia, who is believed to be high on the Chelsea manager’s wish-list. And with a deal already struck between the Londoners and Sevilla for the loan of Marko Marin, the Ramón Sanchéz Pizjúan may well be Romeu’s more likely destination.

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While he made 24 appearances for Chelsea in the 2011-12 season, starting 17 games in all competitions, he was reduced to just seven total starts and nine appearances for the club last season, as a knee injury in December ended his season. 

Still, it remains to be seen if he'll find a place in Mourinho's midfield with players like Frank Lampard, Ramires, John Mikel Obi and even David Luiz fighting for the two spots behind either Juan Mata or Oscar.

Romeu will have new tactics to adjust to and a new leading man to impress, already well down the pecking order. With it already rather evident that the transition to English football has not been the smoothest one, a return to Spain for Romeu makes sense. 

Of course, it makes sense for Chelsea as well, especially if they can bring Kondogbia aboard.

The youngster made his presence felt for Sevilla last season, appearing in 37 matches. While he needs to mature tactically, he's a very solid athlete who will mop up in midfield defense. 

As he continues to mature, he could be a real force pairing with a more facilitating midfielder in the back of a midfield triangle. Where Romeu is more technical, Kondogbia is at his best when playing like a wrecking ball in the midfield, destroying an opponent's forays up the pitch. 

The best-case scenario?

Sending Romeu on a season-long loan, where he can earn playing time and continue to develop. That way, Chelsea won't have to give up on the talented young player but also won't worry about his form and confidence dipping if he doesn't crack the Blues' starting 11. 

Either way, a change of scenery—permanent or simply for the year—makes sense for both the club and player. Don't be surprised when Romeu suits up in a new kit this season.