Disappointing Chelsea man to return early with loan star set to replace him in Italy

Chelsea outcast Tiemoue Bakayoko looks likely to be heading back to Chelsea this summer after a less than impressive season for AC Milan.

The Blues loaned the former Monaco man to Milan until 2020, but a report claims Milan are keen to return the 27-year-old early. The midfielder has not appeared for the Rossoneri since January and has made only five league starts all season.

Chelsea paid a £40m transfer fee to Monaco in 2017 for the player. But he’s failed to make the grade in west London, making just 43 appearances for the club.

Bakayoko’s loan to Milan came alongside a two-year contract extension in August.

It was Bakayoko’s fourth loan in five seasons since joining Chelsea. The Serie A club are understood to have paid a loan fee somewhere in the region of €500k to €1.5m.

They also have a buy option of around €15-€20m. And that would turn into a buy obligation if certain conditions are met. Those conditions were likely to revolve around appearances, but it’s unlikely he’s met any of those.

And Pianet Milan journalist Daniele Triolo, speaking to Toro News thinks Bakayoko will be heading back to London.

Triolo has said, via Sport Witness, that Tommaso Pobega, who is on loan to Torino from Milan will return in the summer. And Pobega, 22, is the man who has been earmarked for a midfield role.

“Pobega went to Turin on loan because Pioli likes him. But last summer he didn’t think he was ready to play in a two-man half,” said Triolo.

“At the end of the season, there are every intention of bringing him back to Milan also because Bakayoko will return to Chelsea and also numerically needs another midfielder who can play for the place with Tonali and Bennacer.”

Pobega has made 27 Serie A appearances this season, scoring four