Charly Musonda Jr linked with Real Madrid-vanquishing giant-killers Leganés

Ever since Charly Musonda Jr signed his long-term contract extension back at the start of December, the assumption had been that he’d be heading out on loan to get some proper minutes under his belt after spending all of 2017 doing very little of that. While Musonda did make a couple substitute appearances this month (once in the league and once in the FA Cup), he very much needs to be playing more regularly than that.

(There’s been much hand-wringing over his omission from the bench on Wednesday, in a game that could’ve possibly used him after Willian went down injured, but any of the six non-goalkeepers on that bench would’ve made headlines, for various reasons, if they had not been picked. Unfortunately for Conte, Willian’s injury put a massive kink in the plans as Chelsea fell at the semifinal hurdle of the League Cup.)

His absence from the bench does underline the need for a loan, and while he’s been linked with a return to Real Betis or possibly one of four Premier League teams, the latest suitors are from Spain once again.

Leganés made world-football headlines by eliminating Real Madrid from the Copa del Rey on the same day as Chelsea lost to Arsenal, but they are solidly midtable in La Liga (so basically same level as Real Betis) and could possibly use Charly’s services. Others vehemently disagree with this possibility, though there is no such thing as guaranteed success (or failure) when it comes to loan moves — that’s why they are often so controversial.

That said, Chelsea understandably would prefer a closer, more English destination, but time is running out in the transfer window and a good spot must be found.