News has just come out from Bobby Vincent of Football.London in an exclusive that Ishe Samuels-Smith is wanted on loan by four clubs.
Rangers, Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Stoke City are all “pushing to sign” the young left back on loan this summer, with Chelsea open to the idea of sending him to get more first team experience. He’s just signed a new contract, and is seen as potentially a top player.
There have apparently already been “club to club talks” with some of the interested parties over a potential move, making it sound potentially close to happening. Samuels-Smith is training at Cobham after not being included in the group to travel to the USA, so a move could be wrapped up very quickly.
That benefits him, as it allows him a full preseason with his new team. Sunderland are his only Premier League option, but all three look potentially beneficial.
Samuels-Smith’s first team chance vanishes
Many Chelsea fans will be frustrated by the news that the youngster has been earmarked for a loan. They think he’s ready to start picking up first team minutes right now. He certainly could have been included in the Club World Cup squad at the least.
Chelsea likely to enter market again if Samuels-Smith goes
A departure for Samuel-Smith would also likely precipitate a move into the market for the Blues. We got lucky that Marc Cucurella was able to play so many minutes last season, but as it stands he’s got no true backup in the squad, just players who can fill in for him.
If Samuels-Smith is loaned out and Renato Veiga sold (as is expected) there will surely be some addition to the squad at left back. We can’t go into a Champions League season with backup right backs as a serious option on the left.
