Despite a promising loan spell at Juventus, Chelsea defender Renato Veiga is set to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, TBR Football can reveal.
Renato Veiga arrived at Chelsea from FC Basel last summer, and the defender did make 18 appearances under Enzo Maresca before heading on loan in January.
The 21-year-old joined Juventus for the second half of the season and Italian media were impressed with Veiga — his loan was a success.
Veiga played 15 times for Juventus predominantly in a centre-back role, which is still regarded as his primary position.
However, the Portugal international was used mainly as a left-back or even as a defensive midfielder by Maresca, part of the reason Veiga was keen to go out on loan mid-season.
Renato Veiga wants to be a centre-back for Chelsea after Juventus loan
That being said, TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey has now provided more insight into Veiga’s situation, detailing why he’s likely to leave Stamford Bridge this summer.
Veiga wasn’t happy about being left out of Chelsea’s Club World Cup squad, and he could be one of several centre-backs to move on in the coming months.
Providing the latest, Bailey said: “It’s a fascinating situation with Veiga, he was very surprised he wasn’t included in the Club World Cup squad.
“There were indications from Chelsea that he would get a chance in a left-sided centre-back role — but Chelsea have so many centre-backs it’s staggering, and they still want more.
Renato Veiga during a match for Juventus.
Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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“It’s not beyond the realms of possibility that Chalobah, Tosin, Badiashile, Disasi and Veiga could all be sold.
“People keep asking why Chelsea can spend so much money, well, there’s five reasons why PSR isn’t a concern.
“But Veiga had a really good time at Juventus, playing at centre-back. And that’s why he left Chelsea on loan in the first place, he didn’t want to be a left-back, even if he was quite good at it.
“Chelsea were happy with him on the left but he turned up at Stamford Bridge wanting to be a centre-back.
“Now he’s gone to Juventus, played well and he thought he’d done enough to warrant a spot at the Club World Cup to prove himself as a centre-back.”
Veiga set to leave Chelsea who are eyeing another new signing
Of course, Veiga won’t be appearing in the United States for Chelsea, who are actively seeking to add at least one more centre-back to their squad this summer.
And that’s not something that’s escaped Veiga’s attention, a situation that means the £12m defender may have already played his last game under Maresca.
Bailey continued: “Veiga knows Chelsea are in the market for a central defender and he thought he could fill that role, but it’s pretty obvious to him now that he won’t.
“So keep an eye on Veiga, there’s some Premier League interest and some on the continent — a lot of clubs were impressed by him at Juventus.
“But as it stands, he’s going to be leaving Chelsea.”
Despite being busy at the Club World Cup as mentioned, Chelsea are still active on the transfer front.
And although he’s still a Borussia Dortmund player right now, Jamie Gittens is still determined to join Chelsea in the near future.