Batshuayi set to return to Chelsea after the season — reports

Michy Batshuayi came back to England from an unhappy and unsuccessful six months in Valencia to join Crystal Palace on loan for the rest of the season in January. His time in South London has gone a bit better with 3 goals in 11 appearances, but not quite good enough for the Eagles to consider a permanent move in their current financial situation.

Batshuayi is thus set to return to Chelsea after the end of the season.

So what’s next for Michy, who will have two years left on his Chelsea contract while heading into the latter half of his 20s?

It is unlikely that he would have a future at Stamford Bridge, as lovable a personality as he is, especially if Maurizio Sarri stays. He already deemed Batshuayi surplus to requirements once and the striker hasn’t done anything to make him question that decision. As things stand, Batshuayi would at best be fourth choice, behind Olivier Giroud, Tammy Abraham and Gonzalo Higuaín/new striker.

With his contract running out in 2021, this would be the perfect time to cash in. Everton were heavily linked last summer. Palace might be convinced at the right price. Batshuayi will certainly generate some interest — he’s still young and won’t be overpriced like the €40m Chelsea paid in 2016.

From the heights of scoring Chelsea’s title-winning goal in 2017 to public dressing-downs in Valencia, Michy’s career has trended downwards over the last couple years. He’s still fairly young and has demonstrated great finishing skills at times and a poacher’s knack for goals. He just needs to find the right situation.