Teamtalk reports that Chelsea have blocked a loan move for Tiemoue Bakayoko at the request of head coach Thomas Tuchel. It is being said that the German wants to assess the Frenchman this summer in pre-season before making any decision regarding his future. Bakayoko spent last season on loan in Italy and was linked with a return.
AC Milan were said to be keen on taking Bakayoko on loan for another season. The Frenchman had previously spent the 2018/19 season on loan at San Siro, before subsequently joining AS Monaco and SSC Napoli on temporary deals. Milan, however, were keen on bringing Bakayoko back this season to act as cover for Franck Kessie, Ismael Benncaer, and Sandro Tonali.
Instead, the report claims that the player will now report at Cobham for pre-season. Chelsea head coach Tuchel will try to reintegrate Bakayoko into the squad over the next few weeks, and the final decision over his future could be expected afterwards. Bakayoko’s current deal at the club is set to expire at the end of the 2021/22 season.
While one Frenchman might soon find himself back into the fold at Chelsea, another might exit the club in search of playing opportunities. Reports claim that Kurt Zouma could leave Stamford Bridge this summer in search of regular playing time. Zouma started the 2020/21 season as Chelsea’s first-choice center-back under Frank Lampard but found opportunities hard to come by under his successor.
Everton, where Zouma spent a season on loan, are keen to secure his services on a permanent basis, as are Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Meanwhile, the France international is also drawing interest from Italy, where he is wanted by his former coach Jose Mourinho in Rome.
