Chelsea's Juan Cuadrado might return to Juventus after all — report

According to Sky Sport Italia (via Football Italia), Chelsea winger Juan Cuadrado might return to Juventus before the end of the transfer window after all. Having failed to establish himself in the Chelsea squad this summer, the Blues are now apparently open (ed. note: again) to negotiating (ed. note: again) a loan (ed. note: again) with an option to buy (ed. note: again) with The Old Lady (ed. note: again). Chelsea and Juventus representatives are expected to meet (ed. note: again) on Wednesday.

Previous reports claimed that AC Milan, now lead by Cuadrado’s former Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Montella, were interested in his services. But the Rossonero filled their non-EU transfer quota today by acquiring Argentinian player José Sosa from Besiktas.

Cuadrado arrived at Stamford Bridge in February 2015 for €30 million, but wasn't able to justify the investment made by the club over the next half-season. He was thusly sent on loan to Juventus in the last week of last summer's transfer window, and could very well see the same scenario played out again.

Chelsea's new head coach Antonio Conte was supposedly eager to work with Cuadrado, but we’ve yet to see that eagerness translate to minutes. The 28-year-old didn’t even make the bench for Chelsea’s Premier League opener, dropping behind both Victor Moses and Pedro to fifth in the winger pecking order.

While it would be most sensible for Chelsea to cut our losses on Cuadrado — he’s unlikely to get any better at this point — a loan with a buy-option might be the best we can do. Whatever; just do it.