Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images
Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images
Lamine Camara’s failed move to Chelsea on deadline day is going to have consequences for a few people at the club.
AS Monaco were set to sell Camara to Chelsea but had a change of heart at the last second.
It is a blow for Chelsea, but not everyone will be disappointed about the collapse of Camara’s transfer. With that in mind, who are the winners and losers from it?
Romeo Lavia, Reece James, Valentin Barco and Jordan Henderson
Romeo Lavia, Reece James, Valentin Barco and Jordan Henderson
Valentin Barco (winner)
Valentin Barco is perhaps the biggest winner here. It looked like the Argentine was going to struggle for game time this season, while the possibility of a loan move was also mentioned at one stage.
However, Barco has featured in two of Chelsea’s three games so far, playing the entire 90 minutes in his side’s Carabao Cup tie against Luton Town.
With Camara not joining the club, Barco could be an injury away from being a starter in midfield. And looking at Romeo Lavia’s and Reece James’ fitness records, that is not impossible. Ultimately, the 22-year-old will get more opportunities than he would have got had Camara’s move gone through.
Jordan Henderson (winner)
Jordan Henderson is another player who could be given more opportunities now that Camara will not be arriving at Stamford Bridge.
At 36, Henderson is expected to have a bit-part player role under Xabi Alonso, but the England international may now have to play more minutes, which he will not complain about.
Jordan Henderson of Chelsea applauds
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Moises Caicedo (loser)
Moises Caicedo would have enjoyed playing alongside Camara. Like the Ecuadorian, Camara is also a good ball-winner.
Last season, Camara made 2.3 tackles per game in Ligue 1, which was the joint-highest average in Monaco’s squad, according to WhoScored. He could have taken some pressure off Caicedo.
READ MORE:Fabrizio Romano shares update on Chelsea and Monaco’s relationship after Lamine Camara debacle
Chelsea board (loser)
There is no doubt that Chelsea’s board are the biggest losers from this saga. They had plenty of time to replace Fernandez, who made it clear a long time ago that he wanted out.
They did some good work this summer bringing in the likes of Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix and Emiliano Martinez. But failing to sign a replacement for Fernandez has to go down as a massive failure.