It’s fair to say that Charly Musonda Jr’s 2016-17 season did not exact go according to plan. After settling and impressing with Real Betis in the second half of last season, the highly talented Belgian youngster signed on for a full year last summer, with great hopes of building on his 13 starts (16 total appearances) with the mid-table La Liga hopefuls. One start (and eight total appearances) later, Musonda was recalled by Chelsea in January. A knee injury complicated matters, and young Charly has spent most of the season since rehabbing that ailment. He made three starts for Chelsea’s U23 side, scoring one goal and reaffirming that he’s far too good for that low level of competition by now.
Provided he’s now fit and ready to go (he’s popped up a few times in recent training ground videos from Chelsea), another key offseason awaits the 20-year-old. In a recent interview with HLN, Charly’s father, Charly Sr said that they’re expecting Conte to take a good look before deciding whether to send the kid out on loan again.
Daddy Musonda: "Chelsea have told us that Charly isn't allowed to leave atm. He should get a chance in pre-season." https://t.co/aET64I3ZPG
— Kristof Terreur (@HLNinEngeland) May 29, 2017
Musonda has already been linked with a loan move to KRC Genk, but his father dismissed that in favor of better options.
“We are not aware of interest from Genk [but] should it come to turn a loan, there are options other than a return to Belgium.”
-Charly Musonda Sr; source; HLN via Google Translate
It’s been a rather unfortunate 12 months in Musonda’s career, but still at just 20 years of age, there’s plenty of time for him rediscover and remind everyone of his massive talent that made him such a prized acquisition for the Academy back in 2013.