‘Chelsea make Joao Felix, Renato Veiga and Carney Chukwuemeka decision after trophy’
Chelsea have made a decision affecting Joao Felix, Renato Veiga, and Carney Chukwuemeka following their Conference League triumph.
Since the arrival of Todd Boehly’s Clearlake Capital to West London in 2022, the Blues have gone into overdrive in nearly every transfer window.
Chelsea spent over £230million [transfermarkt] last summer alone, signing 11 players, whilst also agreeing a loan move for Jadon Sancho that will see him join the club permanently this summer, unless the Blues choose to pay a £5m cancellation fee.
The incomings and outgoings continued in January, with Veiga joining Juventus on loan, whilst Felix and Chukwuemeka were also shifted out temporarily to get a more consistent supply of first-team minutes, to varying degrees of success at AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund respectively.
All three of those players played their part in the club’s run to the final of the Conference League, which Chelsea ultimately won thanks to a 4-1 victory over Real Betis in their absence.
Now, according to MailOnline, the club have made a decision regarding the trio based on their contributions in the competition.
Chelsea make Europa Conference League medal decisions
Chelsea used 36 players in the Conference League and sources have reportedly revealed every senior member “eligible to appear in the group and knockout stages are receiving a medal.”
That would apply to the above-mentioned trio, and Axel Disasi, who spent the second half of the season on loan at Aston Villa.
UEFA has given Chelsea 50 medals for their win, and it is now up to the club to award them as they see fit, with academy graduates such as Shim Mheuka also set to be awarded one.
It is easy to forget a player’s contributions, especially if they were not involved in the latter stages of the competition, but the Blues appear keen to maintain a positive spirit within the club by rewarding every player who played their part.
Champions League poses problem for Chelsea’s fringe and youth
Football Insider Verdict
Whilst the Conference League is not the most prestigious trophy Chelsea have in their cabinet, the tournament has been a valuable proving ground this season.
The West London club have an infamously large squad of players with 29 first-teamers accompanied by plenty of youth prospects, and that does not even include the loan army,
Europe’s third-tier competition has allowed Enzo Maresca to not only rotate his side but also give opportunities to players that otherwise would have struggled for minutes.
Reggie Walsh, Mheuka, Samuel Rak-Sakyi, Genesis Antwi, Ato Ampah, Harrison Murray-Campbell, and Kiano Dyer were all involved at points during the Conference League, whilst starlets Tyrique George and Josh Acheampong featured heavily.
But next season, there will be far fewer opportunities to give the kids a run-out, thanks to the unforgiving nature of the Champions League.
Chelsea may be forced to review several of their academy stars’ futures at the club, thanks to not being able to provide them with a reliable path into the first team.