20-year-old Chelsea ace set for Championship loan spell after returning from Russia

Transfer News: Chelsea starlet Tino Anjorin set to join Championship club on a loan deal despite Southampton interest

According to Nizaar Kinsella (h/t ESPN), Chelsea starlet Tino Anjorin could be on the move again after returning from his loan spell.

Tino Anjorin joined Lokomotiv Moscow on loan from Chelsea last summer. He found playing time in initial matches, but an injury prevented him from making a considerable impact. The Blues star only made nine appearances and bagged one goal playing as an attacking midfielder.

Southampton are currently eyeing an opportunity to lure the Chelsea academy star on a permanent deal, as per HampshireLive. The Saints are also believed to be in contact with Sheriff Anjorin, the father and agent of the 20-year-old star. 

Elsewhere, Goal.com’s Nizaar Kinsella (h/t ESPN) suggests that Anjorin ‘will’ join a Championship club on a loan deal in the ongoing transfer window, with four clubs currently keeping tabs on the youngster’s situation. 

Which move is the best for Tino Anjorin?

Anjorin has five appearances for Chelsea’s senior team. But it seems the youngster currently requires further grooming to make any claim over a first-team spot under Thomas Tuchel. Therefore, moving to a Championship club and getting game time would certainly help in the development of the 20-year-old playmaker. 

Southampton have had an open line of communication with us recently. The Saints currently employ Tino Livramento and Armando Broja, and now want to add Anjorin to the mix. The youngster can play as a left midfielder as well as a number 10.

But the club must be careful. Having sold the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Mohamed Salah, and more recently the likes of Fikayo Tomori and Tariq Lamptey, we cannot let go of another potential star who could become an important first-team player for us in the future.

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Whether Anjorin falls in that category for the Blues board remains to be seen. He is certainly far removed from the first-team picture and his departure will not be felt in the short term. But if he turns out to be a quality first-team player in the future, we could live to regret our decision.

And for that reason, it seems safer to loan him to a Championship side and see how he responds to that on the field.