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Poor Ryan Bertrand has become the world's most forgotten left back thanks to the emergence of Cesar Azpilicueta as some sort of defensive, multi-sided genius. Less than two years ago, Bertrand was starting at left wing in a Champions League final (that starting lineup is pretty amusing when you look at it now); now he's gone on loan at Aston Villa without anyone really noticing.
Small wonder he's talking about moving on:
It’s flattering to hear what Jose Mourinho said but there’s no more waiting around for me in terms of wanting to be a Chelsea player.
Come the summer I need to be the No.1 left-back, wherever that will be. I have ambitions but I have to be realistic as well. I will sit down and consider all my options.
-Source: Birmingham Mail.
I guess some will use these quotes as an excuse to beat up on Chelsea for failing to integrate talent into the first team, but in truth if Bertrand gets a starting job elsewhere in the top flight the academy and youth system has done its job: help give prospects a career while providing value for the team. Sell Bertrand, get some money, and presumably everyone is happy.
That said, with Ashley Cole's future up in the air, it's not entirely out of the question that we'd want Bertrand back as left back cover next season. We'll have to wait to see how things play out this summer, I suppose.
