Reports emerged on Thursday that Facundo Buonanotte is set to cancel his Chelsea loan spell and return to Brighton, before completing a loan move to Leeds United.
Buonanotte, 21, joined Chelsea on loan from Brighton in the summer after the Blues hijacked the Argentine’s move to Leeds. The playmaker was on his way to Yorkshire, only for Chelsea to move.
It was a strange move. A move that looked even worse when Buonanotte was initially left out of Chelsea’s squad for the Champions League. Injury has since seen Buonanotte included in the 25-man squad.
Are you SAD to see Facundo Buonanotte go? 👋🥺
He's off to Leeds.
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Since then, Buonanotte has managed just nine appearances for Chelsea in all competitions, starting in Rosenior’s first game against Charlton. He got an assist for Chelsea’s second goal in the big 5-1 win.
But Buonanotte is clearly not happy with his lack of game time at Stamford Bridge and is ready to cancel his loan to make the move that perhaps, with hindsight, he should have made in the first place.
Liam Rosenior discusses Facundo Buonanotte leaving Chelsea
Buonanotte is clearly a talent and has shown that while on loan at Leicester and with Brighton. He is a player who, with time, could easily play for Chelsea, but first, the South American needs experience.
Liam Rosenior, Manager of Chelsea, applauds the fans
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Fabrizio Romano reports that Buonanotte is on his way to Leeds on loan until the end of the season, where the likelihood is he will start games. Liam Rosenior was asked about it in today’s press conference.
“Firstly, Facundo was magnificent against Charlton,” Rosenior said, when asked about Buonanotte leaving the club. Really good performance. The minutes aren’t what he wants we’re looking at a solution for him.
“I’m in constant conversation with the sporting director about potential transfers, but I want to assess this group because you get surprises. If we find a way to improve the team, we will look at it,” Rosenior said.
How long would you have offered to Rosenior? 🖋️
Maresca got five and the option for one more, too.
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Buonanotte fails to live up to Carlos Tevez verdict at Chelsea
It is a shame that Buonanotte is leaving but the loan to Chelsea was probably not the right pick at this stage in his career. Perhaps, an impressive loan at Leeds in the second half of 25-26 could tempt Chelsea.
Because, there is huge potential in Buonanotte. Carlos Tevez said that Buonanotte reminds him of Lionel Messi: “When he brakes and accelerates, he reminds me of (Lionel) Messi. He is at a very high level.”
But for now, Buonanotte will be leaving Chelsea and is now set for a move to Daniel Farke’s Leeds, where the chances are he will start with the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Brenden Aaronson and other stars.
Chelsea play host to Brentford on Saturday afternoon and Rosenior hinted that both Reece James and Cole Palmer could feature. However, Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens remain isolated due to a virus.
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