Chelsea midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah to hold talks with Antonio Conte over future at Stamford Bridge next week
Champs on verge of £35m deal for Monaco star Tiemoue Bakayoko and Chalobah wants guarantees over playing time
NATHANIEL CHALOBAH is braced for showdown talks with Chelsea boss Antonio Conte when he returns from England U21s duty.
The midfielder is returning home for a brief holiday after Aidy Boothroyd’s men were dumped out of the European Championships in a semi-final penalty shootout at the hands of Germany.
But while Chalobah was away on international duty, Chelsea were busy putting together a £35million deal for Monaco star Tiemoue Bakayoko.
He is expected to finalise a Stamford Bridge switch in the coming days after undergoing a medical.
And the claims that Chalobah will now sit down for crunch talks with Conte over his future at the Cobham training ground next week.
The 22-year-old still has a year left on his contract and Chelsea are believed to be keen on extending it.
But with the Blues showing they are still not convinced he has what it takes to be a first-team player, Chalobah could up sticks or refuse to sign a new deal – like now-Liverpool striker Dominic Solanke.
However, Chelsea will try to soothe his frustrations by promising more games, with the return of Champions League football highlighting the need for more squad rotation.
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Chalobah might decide a loan move is best for his development though, meaning the Blues would be forced to search for yet another midfielder as Nemanja Matic closes in on a £40m Manchester United deal.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek is in need of a season of regular football, while injury-prone Marco van Ginkel is sure to seek more action elsewhere.
