Chelsea have been made to regret deciding to cash in and selling Lewis Hall a few years ago, however another defender they let go is actually worth more than him right now.
The left-back featured for the Blues during a very difficult period under Graham Potter, where they had to spend yet more big money on new signings.
Hall, who has explained how important Thiago Silva’s experience was at Chelsea during his time there, was sold for an original fee of £28m (BBC Sport), although his brilliance at St James’ Park makes him worth far more than that right now.
One of many problems on the pitch at the moment 🤦♂️
Chelsea's Wesley Fofana
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Former Chelsea defender Renato Veiga is worth more than Lewis Hall
According to the CIES Football Observatory, Hall is now worth £52m, however this fee is lower than their valuation of fellow former Blue, Renato Veiga.
They have the Portugal international at nearly £54m after he departed over the summer permanently to join Villarreal, after a loan spell at Juventus.
Villarreal CF v Real Sociedad - LaLiga EA Sports
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Chelsea had the opportunity to keep Veiga after Levi Colwill’s serious injury before the season started, however still decided to push on with securing profit on his signing.
This likely didn’t sit well with Enzo Maresca, who was in the process of publicly asking for a new centre-back to bolster his chances just months before he was sacked.
Liam Rosenior would no doubt love another central defensive option after the recent injury to Trevoh Chalobah, as well as poor form for the majority of his current players.
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Renato Veiga starring since Chelsea departure
Like Hall, the Portuguese star is playing far better now he is getting regular opportunities to feature for a top side in Europe.
Veiga has 25 appearances in La Liga this season, helping his side to a very impressive third place in the table so far.
It looks as if he is in for a big summer at the World Cup too. International boss Roberto Martinez has hailed Veiga for his improvements since leaving Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s owners will have likely been pleased to see profit on the books when they initially parted ways, although will now surely be thinking they’d have been better off keeping Veiga.
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