Chelsea target refuses to train as contract controversy intensifies

Chelsea target Bruma has, according to reports in Portugal, refused to turn up for training with Sporting Lisbon as controversy over his contract mounts. The 18-year-old winger -- rather over-exuberantly described in some circles as the next Ronaldo thanks to where he plays his football and his impressive performances with the under-20 team -- has been linked to a switch to Stamford Bridge for weeks, and it looks as though he's definitely on the way out at the José Alvalade.

With Bruma's agents poised to embark upon a legal battle to get his contract terminated -- the claim is that it lasted through last season rather than next -- Chelsea probably shouldn't wait for the player to be released. It wouldn't be a bad outcome, but what would be much quicker and easier is offering Sporting an escape route by means of a small transfer fee. It would mean Bruma gets to move on, Sporting don't have to worry about losing him for nothing and the Blues get a top prospect at a discount. With the situation already an utter mess for the former two parties, it seems like a reasonable option for everyone involved should the linked reports indeed turn out to be the truth.

We'll just have to wait and see.