Former Manchester United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown has weighed in on the future of Chelsea’s young midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka, suggesting that a January move is on the cards.
Speaking to Football Insider, Brown hinted at a possible loan move for the 20-year-old, who has struggled for regular playing time at Stamford Bridge.
“I’m expecting him to move on both for his and Chelsea’s sake,” Brown said. “Ideally, they’d like to recoup some money from him, but I don’t think any of the interested clubs will be willing to pay what they want.”
Since his £20 million move from Aston Villa in 2022, Chukwuemeka has made limited appearances for Chelsea, raising questions about his readiness to compete at the highest level. Brown noted that while the player has potential, he still has much to prove.
“He’s still got some proving to do at this level because he’s hardly played at this level,” he added.
A loan move appears to be the most viable option, with Chelsea reportedly open to the idea. Brown outlined a scenario where Chukwuemeka could use a six-month loan stint to gain valuable experience, develop his skills, and potentially secure a permanent transfer in the summer.
“He can go on loan in January, prove what he can do, which would help him develop, help Chelsea get him off the books, and help the club he joins,” he said. “Then, over that six-month spell, he can put himself in the shop window and earn a permanent move.”
Chukwuemeka, a highly-rated prospect during his time at Aston Villa, has drawn interest from several clubs, though none are reportedly willing to meet Chelsea’s valuation. With the January transfer window approaching, both the player and Chelsea will likely be eager to find a solution that benefits all parties involved.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Chukwuemeka can seize the opportunity to reignite his career and fulfill his potential at the top level.
