Colchester end Archange Nkumu loan spell, he'll now return to Chelsea

Colchester United have decided today to end the loan spell of Chelsea youngster Archange Nkumu, marking the second time this season in which the defender will be returning to Chelsea. Nkumu started the season at Yeovil Town, where he made a single appearance from the bench. He did not make a first team appearance for Colchester, so Chelsea may still opt to loan the youngster out again.

Colchester manager Joe Dunne had the following to say about Nkumu:

"As I've said before, with the lads in the Under 21s I need to look at how their progression is going in getting towards the first team and Merrick was some distance from that side. Letting him go now gives him a chance to find a club in the January window."

"Archie struggled with injuries during his time here. He's technically a good player, given his Chelsea background, but he found it difficult here. He's been a good lad, who was willing to do well, but it's not kicked off with us and I need to move on. I made the decision that he goes back to Chelsea and I will now look to recruit elsewhere."

Nkumu will return to Cobham where he'll work with the rest of the Chelsea youngsters, and he may well remain there if Chelsea try to loan out a few of the U21 side in the spring. There is also the chance that Nkumu goes out on a third loan of the year, but it would behoove Chelsea to evaluate if the player will get anything out of that before pulling the trigger on such a move. Welcome back to London Archange, hopefully the next few months go a bit better for you.