I don’t want to go back to Chelsea, reveals loan army star

3 Sept 2021 20:22 BST
3 min read

Thomas Tuchel has made a fantastic start at Chelsea — © ProShots

Chelsea is a football club renowned for its loan army, with players perpetually departing the club on a temporary basis only to return at the end of each season on to go out again.

As many as 10 members of Thomas Tuchel’s first-team squad have departed the club in such a manner this summer, plus many more from the Under-23 side.

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Among the biggest names to go out on a temporary basis are Emerson, Michy Batshuayi, Billy Gilmour and Tiemoue Bakayoko, and the latter of these players hopes that he does not return.

Bakayoko craving a permanent home

Bakayoko has been sent on a two-year loan to Milan, which will be his fourth loan spell away from Stamford Bridge since 2018.

He previously spent one full campaign with the Serie A giants, plus time at Monaco and Napoli.

After changing club in each of the last five years, though, he finally wants to settle down.

At this point in my career, I need stability after all these loans

- Tiemoue Bakayoko

Speaking to the press, the 27-year-old said: “I hope to stay here even after these two years on loan, everyone knows how attached I am to this club that I consider my home.

"When you are at Milan you must always aim for the maximum. I will give my all to win as many trophies as possible. At this point in my career, I need stability after all these loans, so I hope to stay at Milan for a long time. I will do everything possible to make that happen.”

Chelsea face a battle to move on forgotten man Bakayoko — © ProShots

Bakayoko arrived at Chelsea for a fee of €40 million, making him one of the club’s most expensive purchases ever when he signed for them. Despite helping Monaco to the Ligue 1 title in the previous season, though, he struggled to settle at Stamford Bridge and was quickly sent out on loan.

Bakayoko played 43 times for Chelsea, scoring three goals, while he featured on 42 occasions during his first spell with Milan.