Many Chelsea fans know this feeling very well. A young player leaves the club, and suddenly becomes much better elsewhere. We saw it before with Kevin De Bruyne, who struggled at Chelsea before becoming one of the best players in the world. Now, Portugal coach Roberto Martinez believes the same kind of growth is happening with Renato Veiga, a defender who looks stronger and more confident since leaving Stamford Bridge.
🗣 Graeme Bailey: "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… pic.twitter.com/H9IWDEtHLK
— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) June 24, 2025
Kevin De Bruyne Shows Why Leaving Chelsea Can Help Young Players
Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in the world, but that can make life very hard for young players. There are many stars, many matches, and very little patience. Kevin De Bruyne is the perfect example. He joined Chelsea when he was young, but he did not play enough games. Without regular minutes, he could not show his true talent.
After leaving Chelsea, De Bruyne played every week, built his confidence, and learned from his mistakes. This is what helped him become a world-class midfielder. This is the same story that is being repeated across many football clubs, not only Chelsea. Big squads can sometimes hinder the development of young players. They require playing time to flourish. This is the same path that Renato Veiga is currently taking, playing the best football away from London.
Kevin De Bruyne Comparison as Renato Veiga Finds His Best Role
Renato Veiga joined Chelsea in 2024 from Basel for around £12m. At the time, he was still very young and learning his game. Like Kevin De Bruyne, he struggled to find a clear role. Veiga played some matches, but not enough to build rhythm. In total, he made only 18 appearances for Chelsea.
He was later sent on loan and then sold to Villarreal in Spain for around £26m. Since that move, everything has changed. Veiga plays regularly in La Liga and has already played 28 games this season. He has also won nine caps for Portugal, which shows how fast his career has grown.
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez spoke about Veiga’s improvementand explained that he has now found his best position. Veiga started as a defensive midfielder, but he is now playing as a centre-back. Martinez praised his balance, his left foot, and his understanding of the game. Working under Villarreal coach Marcelino has helped Veiga improve every week.
Fans React as Chelsea Watch From a Distance
Chelsea fans have shared many opinions online. Some people might be happy to see that everything is going well with Veiga. They might think that the club sold the player and made good money from the deal. Others might feel frustrated, as some do, that the club sold another young player to the opponents, just like they did with De Bruyne and Salah.
Portugal fans, however, are excited. Veiga is now seen as a strong option for the national team ahead of the World Cup. His calm defending and smart positioning have earned praise from media and supporters alike. His confidence grows with every match.
What This Means for Chelsea and the Future
Chelsea are now looking for new young defenders in the transfer market. This raises an important question. If the club wants young centre-backs to develop, why sell one who is already improving? Veiga’s value could rise even higher if he shines at the World Cup.
For Veiga, leaving Chelsea may have been the best decision. Just like Kevin De Bruyne, regular football has helped him grow. For Chelsea, it may be another lesson about patience, trust, and giving young players the time they need to succeed.
Author’s Opinion
In my opinion, Chelsea were too quick to sell Renato Veiga. Yes, the club made good money, but football is not only about profit. Young players need time to grow. We have seen this before with Kevin De Bruyne, who became great only after leaving. Veiga is now playing every week, improving fast, and representing his country. That could have happened at Chelsea too. If the club wants young defenders for the future, keeping Veiga would have made more sense than selling him so early.
As featured on Chelseanews.com
Recommended for you