Chelsea Transfer News: Ryan Bertrand Conundrum Needs Permanent Solution

Chelsea left-back Ryan Bertrand revealed his frustrations with his parent club in a recent interview for Southampton's pre-match programme, and the Blues need to find a permanent solution to the current situation.

As reported by ESPN FC, the 25-year-old commented on his position within the Blues' hierarchy, spending a total of nine spells loaned out to different clubs:

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The situation became clear to me before I went on loan to Aston Villa [last season]. I was getting those 15, 20, 25, 30-plus games a season, until I hit a stumbling block.
That's when the alarm bells rang. Before that, I had a chance to move from the club, but I was advised that I didn't need to do that.

It all unravelled in front of my eyes, and certain things didn't make sense in terms of what certain people had said to me. All I ask for is honesty, and I didn't get that.

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Chelsea's aggressive loan policy is well-documented, with a total of 26 players currently plying their trade elsewhere, according to ESPN FC. But Bertrand is unlike most of the team's army of talented youngsters not yet ready to make the leap.

At the age of 25, the Englishman has been a part of the Blues' senior setup since 2006. While it's never pleasant to hear a player speak out on his role, Bertrand's perpetual status as a fringe player and his longevity within the system has given him the right to voice his opinion.

His situation isn't similar to the ones Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku found themselves in before moving on to new clubs—Bertrand isn't a youngster unwilling to prove his worth. He's been doing exactly that, for nine long loan spells, with no results.

Sang Tan/Associated Press

That's not a slight on Chelsea's management. Bertrand is a solid defender, but he's not on the level of the likes of Filipe Luis or Cesar Azpilicueta. There's a reason the Blues have continued to send him out on loan—for all of his talent, he's never blossomed into the player the club hoped he'd become.

He's been excellent for Southampton so far in the 2014-15 campaign and hinted at a potential permanent move via ESPN FC:

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I wanted to be in a situation where the club is looking for the same things. In a way, me as a person and Southampton as a football club are quite similar. We're both striving to do great things.

It's strange just how positive it has been. It's almost hard to believe how well the new boys have settled in.

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The Chelsea fans shouldn't hold Bertrand's comments against him for the same reason Jose Mourinho should entertain the idea of giving him his wish: The defender has been a loyal servant for the Blues, and after seven years it has become clear he no longer has a future at Stamford Bridge.

It's unfair to ask a player to spend such a long time moving from club to club, hoping for an opportunity to prove himself at Chelsea, and not expect him to grow restless.

According to FTBpro.com's Ross Hunt, Bertrand's loan deal with Southampton holds a buyout clause in the region of £10 million, and on current form, Saints could be tempted to activate it at the end of the season:

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The 25-year-old’s arrival on the South Coast was met with mixed reactions, but it is fair to say that Bertrand has so far proved his critics wrong, after starting his Southampton career brightly.

The full-back has been an ever present member of the starting line-up for Southampton in this campaign, having started all of the Saints’ five Premier League games thus far – and has made little work of filling the gapping void that Luke Shaw left behind.

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Even if Southampton are reluctant to meet the current asking price, Chelsea should look into a permanent solution after this season. Bertrand is playing the best football of his life, and after such a lengthy spell with the club he deserves a fresh start.

The Blues have little use for his services, and at the age of 25 Bertrand is unlikely to progress much as a player from this point forward. An amicable split is the perfect solution for all parties involved.

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