Chelsea Transfer News: Jese Rodriguez Exit Rumours Emerge at Real Madrid

Chelsea could be ready to pluck young and underused potential star Jese Rodriguez away from Real Madrid. The 22-year-old forward has been on the radar of the Premier League leaders for some time, and now a move looks plausible, as he's grown frustrated by a lack of playing time in the Spanish capital.

According to AS reporter J.L. Guerrero, Rodriguez is less than impressed by the limited number of opportunities he's received since returning from a lengthy knee injury:

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Since returning from his long lay-off through injury, the player has not had the amount of playing time that he anticipated, even playing less than Illarramendi, a player who clearly does not figure in the future plans of Ancelotti. Illara has played 428 minutes more than Jese since he made his comeback against Cornella (02-12-14).

Apart from Sunday’s isolated incident when the player was annoyed at getting on for just 25 seconds after warming up for 40 minutes, Jese is now coming to terms with the fact that to gain more playing time his future may lie away from Real Madrid.

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Guerrero also cited a report from fellow Spanish publication El Confidencial stating Rodriguez is destined for a loan move next season. But a temporary switch from the Santiago Bernabeu may not be enough to placate one of Spain's most talented young players.

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Rodriguez has even been favourably compared to Los Blancos' free-scoring talisman Cristiano Ronaldo, per Marca (h/t Goal.com reporter Stefan Coerts). While that praise is a little too lofty, Rodriguez does have tremendous pace, underrated strength and a keen eye for goal.

But even with those qualities, there's still little room for him in manager Carlo Ancelotti's star-studded lineup. Not only can the Madrid gaffer rely on Ronaldo, he also has fellow forwards Gareth Bale, Isco, James Rodriguez and striker Karim Benzema.

All of those players are likely to remain ahead of Jese in the pecking order.

It could be a similar story at Chelsea, despite clear interest from the Stamford Bridge club. Rodriguez is joined by French centre-back Raphael Varane as a long-term Chelsea target, although he is apparently not rated as highly by Ancelotti.

Back in January, Daily Express writer David Wright suggested Blues boss Jose Mourinho was considering a £35 million double bid for the pair. Wright dubbed Rodriguez a "potential replacement for Andre Schurrle."

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However, since then, the Blues have instead replaced Germany international Schurrle with former Fiorentina ace Juan Cuadrado. The Colombian winger's arrival has increased Chelsea's options in attack and appears to have rendered any potential move for Rodriguez moot.

It's probably safer to assume the youngster will find himself a temporary member of another La Liga squad next season.