Four Premier League teams already ‘on alert’ after Chelsea loan-list Musonda Jr

Charly Musonda Jr looks set to head out on loan in the second half of the season after spending most of 2017 not fit and struggling for consistent playing time. Or any playing time, for that matter, amassing barely 700 minutes of action across Chelsea’s various teams (senior or otherwise) and competitions in the calendar year.

It’s been undoubtedly a frustrating experience for the 21-year-old, leading to some angst from him on social media, even, but the year ended on a good note as he put pen to paper on a new long-term Chelsea contract. With his future settled, the club set about finding the thing his career needs most at the moment: playing time — and not just for the Development Squad, which is a level we know he can boss already.

Following yesterday’s excellent showing for the U21s in the Checkatrade Trophy against League One opposition (also below his level), here comes a report form the Telegraph that Musonda is already on the radar of no less than four Premier League teams, including Bournemouth (this one’s also back up by reports in Belgium), Watford, Newcastle, and West Brom.

None of those strike me as particularly attractive options or ones where he would have an unobstructed path into the first team, but I supposed he’d have to fight for his place anywhere he’d go in the top flight.