Could Paris Saint-Germain Extract Chelsea Starlet Charly Musonda?
The casual football viewer, or even those not attached to Chelsea Football Club, might not know it—but the west Londoners have developed, arguably, the best youth academy in England.
West Ham United, Southampton and others may squabble with the sentiment, but as current FA Youth Cup champions and UEFA Youth League winners, Chelsea's academy is home to numerous prospects who have suitors across Europe.
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Le 10 Sport note (in French), per Foot Mercato, that one such prospect has become a hot commodity.
Charly Musonda—a central midfielder, central attacking midfielder and/or winger—has been linked with Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal and Manchester City for permanent transfer, while AS Monaco, Olympique de Marseille and PSV Eindhoven want him on loan with an option to purchase.
The report suggests Chelsea would listen to offers above €10 million/£7.1 million, but Musonda prefers to explore all options at Stamford Bridge, where he is "tres attache" ("very attached"), before trying to move clubs.
If Jose Mourinho is interested in sending the 18-year-old midfielder out on loan, Monaco may hold the upper hand.
Radamel Falcao's potential loan to west London, as per the Telegraph's Matt Law, could have conditions. Those being two of Chelsea's youth products (Musonda and Mario Pasalic) going to the French Riviera, on loan, in exchange for the Colombian.
Jorge Mendes—the super agent of Mourinho, Falcao and Musonda—would likely see this circumstance through, in the event Falcao plays for Chelsea in 2015/16.
Supposing, though, the Monaco deal falls through or the conditions mentioned are incorrect, is anyone willing to pay above €10 million/£7.1 million for the budding midfield prospect, and if so, who?
Under contract until June 2019, the Blues have little need to rush with Musonda, but of the clubs linked, two are dangerous spenders.
Manchester City possess limitless pockets—only stymied by UEFA financial fair play regulations—and PSG are much the same. Selling a hot commodity to a title rival makes finite business or footballing sense for Roman Abramovich's club, which leaves the free-spending Parisians as prime candidates for a permanent move.
Paris Saint-Germain are not the youngest team in terms of attacking quality.
Injury-prone speedster Lucas Moura (22) is their only viable option under 26; Javier Pastore (26), Edinson Cavani (28), Yohan Cabaye (29), Ezequiel Lavezzi (30) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (33) comprise Laurent Blanc's list of primary forward options. For sustained success, the three-time defending French champions will need to get younger in the coming seasons, and Musonda could be viewed as a building block.
Still developing his football acumen and his professional build, the Belgian U21 international would be better served staying under contract with Chelsea, using their extensive loan system to his benefit and/or using the interest from around Europe to press his way nearer Mourinho's first-team.
Taking over at Chelsea in 2013, six academy products have received first-team Chelsea debuts under Mourinho. Lewis Baker (20), John Swift (20), Andreas Christensen (19), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (19), Isaiah "Izzy" Brown (18) and Dominic "Dom" Solanke (17) have all seen time with the Blues' first team in various competitions.
Were PSG to bid once Chelsea know what they have, Musonda moving would make more sense—but not even Mourinho can predict what the 18-year-old is going to morph into.
Hence, selling the Belgian proves an elephantine gamble on Chelsea's part, and PSG would have to compensate the Blues for that risk.
As Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain prepare their pre-season tours in the United States, one might circle July 25 on their calendar: The two domestic champions square off in Charlotte, North Carolina.
One wonders if Mourinho will play his young starlet extensive minutes, and maybe a timely tackle here or a quality ball there could spark the Parisians' interest even further.
No doubt, if PSG are to complete an audacious swoop for Musonda, Chelsea's pockets will be bulging—more from potential than current aptitude.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase where not noted.
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