Chelsea: £40m star 'showed no signs' of making it at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko showed little to suggest that he would prove a success at Stamford Bridge, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The France international signed for the Blues in 2017, but he’s spent the last four seasons out on loan after failing to make an impression during his short time in the first-team at Stamford Bridge.

Having caught the eye during Monaco's run to the Champions League back in 2016-2017, Chelsea paid the French club £40m for his services.

Despite failing to live up to expectations, Bakayoko was a regular under Antonio Conte, playing 43 times in all competitions as the Blues won the FA Cup.

Regardless, with Maurizio Sarri replacing Conte, he was shipped out on loan to AC Milan and has since spent time back in Monaco and at Napoli before returning to San Siro on a two-year loan deal in 2021.

Bakayoko hasn't played a minute for the reigning Italian champions this season, but he's got the option to join them on a permanent basis next summer, with his £110,000 per-week Chelsea deal expiring.

Bakayoko is incredibly still contracted to Chelsea despite not making an appearance for more than four years, but Jones never thought he looked like proving a successful signing.

He told GIVEMESPORT: "He barely showed any signs he could thrive at Chelsea. It's surprising when that happens with a player of such obvious natural quality but sometimes things just do not work out."

Bakayoko has enjoyed a mixed time on his return to San Siro as it ended in Serie A glory after Stefano Pioli's side pipped rivals Inter Milan to the title.

But the midfielder was restricted to just 18 matches in all competitions, making just five top-flight starts and none from February onwards.

And his frustrations