Chelsea Transfer News: Luis Enrique Talks Pedro Exit, Youri Tielemans Rumours

High-ranking figures across Europe are questioning if Chelsea is a suitable destination for their players after Barcelona manager Luis Enrique opened up on Pedro's summer move and Youri Tielemans has been urged to resist the Blues.

According to Enrique, the Blaugrana do not miss their former star, but he questions whether Pedro made the right decision by searching for game time at Stamford Bridge, per Metro's Jon Harvey:

"

We know what the situation was with Pedro, we understand it, it’s logical, he wanted to play more and over the course of a player’s career you have to make decisions. 

Perhaps now he might want to change that decision I don’t know. 

It’s not a question of us missing him, that’s what life in football is like.

"

Of course, one can see why Pedro made the move to Stamford Bridge over the summer after Jose Mourinho's side had just won the Premier League, while he had started in just 22 of his 50 appearances for Barca last season.

Enrique isn't the only Camp Nou figure to speak out on Pedro's move, either, after the Mirror provided quotes from full-back Dani Alves, who insisted he had attempted to convince his former team-mate to stay (via Sport): "I said to Pedro that he should stay with the team, but too many people got involved. If he had stayed, he would have been happy here, but he took another decision."

Of course, these comments are simpler with the power of hindsight; there aren't many in the football community who would have foresaw Chelsea's demise this season, picking up just eight points in eight games this term.

ESPN's Alex Shaw has considered Pedro to be on the Blues' flops, too, after making such a bright start to life in England's capital:

Peter Hall sees the matter differently, though, and insists the blame lies with helmsman Mourinho after failing to recruit properly over the summer months:

The winger has got his wish for prominence after appearing as a substitute in just one of his six Premier League outings to date, but the move may come at a cost in silverware.

In time, Chelsea may come to rediscover the rhythm that had them challenging for major trophies prior to Pedro's arrival, but for now, he'll be left to ponder whether Enrique is right.

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Belgian starlet Tielemans may examine Chelsea's poor form this season and be forced to reassess Stamford Bridge as a viable destination in the future, too.

Anderlecht legend Paul van Himst has signalled the midfielder should only think about moving away from the club after claiming the Pro League's Golden Shoe award.

He told Belgian outlet Voetbalkrant (via Goal's Tom Beck): "Tielemans first has to become Anderlecht's star performer and win the Golden Shoe [awarded to the Pro League's best player] to be ready for [a transfer] abroad. It would prove that he has played a full year at a high level. And that's what I'm waiting for from Tielemans."

The suggestion comes from someone who knows what it's like to be a national sensation after Van Himst won the Golden Shoe on three occasions himself, making more than 500 appearances for Anderlecht and Belgium.

Earlier this week, Goal's Greg Stobart alleged that third-party negotiations had already taken place between Tielemans' representatives and those of Manchester United and Chelsea, the two front-runners for his signature.

The Blues could have even more elite competition to contend with, though, after football writer Sergi Dominguez cited Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, which quoted Barcelona as an interested party:

Chelsea's midfield pivot of Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas was so crucial to last season's title win, and yet even they have disappointed this season—opening up the question as to whether new blood should be given a chance.

At 18 years of age, Tielemans is regarded as one of the most promising talents in Belgium and indeed Europe as a whole, with three goals in seven Jupiler Pro League outings this term and a dozen European appearances to his name.

Chelsea's academy ranks have had a massive influx of aspiring talent in recent years, but many of those starlets have become trapped in a perpetual loan cycle, struggling to have an impact on the first team.

Van Himst may have the right idea in urging Tielemans to mature in a more familiar setting first, but the allure of England's top flight can so often override what seems like the logical choice for any up-and-comer.