Chelsea looking to offer U21 team captain new deal, followed by loan to Vitesse

According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea are looking to tie down 21-year-old defender Fankaty Dabo to a long-term deal and then reward him for his commitment to the team by sending him away from the team to gain some first-team experience. The Mail claim that the likely destination for the right-back is Vitesse Arnhem, which is already temporary home to three of our youngsters, Matt Miazga, Lewis Baker and Nathan.

Dabo has been at Chelsea since 2007 and swiftly made his way up the youth ranks, making his Under-18 debut as as an 14-year-old and his Under-21 debut four years ago, also being capped for England at various youth levels.

Fankaty Dabo on for his U21 debut, replacing Todd Kane. Aké appears to now be captain. #BU21PL #CFC

— Chelsea Youth (@chelseayouth) September 1, 2012

Dabo has captained the Under-21 (now Under-23) side regularly since the 2015/16 season and although he has never made a match-day squad for the senior team, he did come close ahead of a fixture against Swansea in April. As far as Dabo's prospects of playing time at Vitesse are concerned, in theory, loaning him there addresses a position of need for Vitesse, as their first-choice right-back, Kelvin Leerdam is currently out injured with Sheran Yeini currently filling in; Yeini did play at right-back at Maccabi Tel Aviv, but is seen as more of a central midfielder at Vitesse.

Vitesse's defence has largely failed to inspire any confidence this season but could be bolstered with the establishment of Miazga in the side and possibly Dabo as well.