Charly Musonda’s name has long been whispered amongst the Chelsea fans that closely follow the academy as perhaps the most talented youngster on the club’s books. Last spring those whispers grew louder as Musonda excelled after a loan move to Real Betis. The Belgian winger was not only starting, but was producing key moments against Spain’s best. At only 19 years of age, Musonda started
Last spring those whispers grew louder as Musonda excelled after a loan move to Real Betis. The Belgian winger was not only starting, but was producing key moments against Spain’s best. At only 19 years of age, Musonda started 10 of thirteen matches and produced 3.6 successful dribbles per game, while being fouled an additional 3.3 times.
For perspective, Musonda’s compatriot Eden Hazard is the most fouled player in the Premier League this season, also suffering 3.3 fouls per game. This demonstrates that Musonda is a dynamic player capable of forcing opposing fullbacks to defend for 90 minutes, their worst nightmare in the modern game.
The way Musonda was able to come into a side mid-season and have such an impact bodes well for his development. But Musonda still has work to do, particularly improving his end product, as in his 13 appearances in La Liga he only produced one goal and one assist. Musonda also fell out of favour when Gus Poyet took over as manger of Real Betis to start this year’s campaign, leading to Chelsea cutting the loan short.
But it appears that the decision may be motivated by more than just the adverse situation at Betis. In his press conference, Antonio Conte revealed his thoughts on the young attacker.
Charly is a good prospect. Musonda has the quality to become a great player. And for this reason, I think can be a good opportunity for him, but also for me, for the club. To work for five months with him. If he shows me this month he deserves to play, he’ll go into the team. I see in this player good prospects. I want to work with this player. I see that his player is the present, but also above all the future of this club.
That is certainly high praise from the Italian manager and indicates that he rates Musonda as a player not only for the future but one who, like Nathan Ake, can return from his loan to help Chelsea fight for the Premier League this season.
Despite Musonda’s ability, he may find it difficult to break into the Chelsea team at the moment.
Musonda’s obvious position would be in the front three, but with Hazard back to his best and Pedro enjoying a great vein of form opportunities there will be limited.
Perhaps the best chance for Musonda to find a place in the first team this year will be if he demonstrates the stamina and defensive prowess to fill one of he wing-back positions, but at the moment that appears unlikely.
It seems that instead Musonda’s best avenue to contribute immediately may be as an attacking option off the bench when Chelsea need to find a goal.
But even this limited role would be a major step forward for one of Chelsea’s most talented youngsters and a promising sign for the future.
