Struggling Chelsea loanee to return to Stamford Bridge next summer

Tiemoue Bakayoko is set to return to Chelsea in the summer with AC Milan terminating his loan deal

According to football journalist Nicolo Schira on Twitter (h/t The Sun), Chelsea loanee Tiemoue Bakayoko could return to Stamford Bridge in the summer after AC Milan are looking to avoid the payments they owe the Blues based on the number of appearances that the midfielder makes this season.

Bakayoko moved to the west London side in 2017 after impressing at AS Monaco, but he has had his Chelsea derailed after failing to make an impact in the Premier League and constantly being sent out on loan after failing to convince the manager of his abilities.

His latest loan move is also set to end in the summer, with Schira saying that Milan have stopped playing the Frenchman in order to avoid paying the Stamford Bridge outfit a sum of €15m, which will be activated based on the number of appearances he makes for the Italian side. His last game was on January 17, when they played Spezia.  

It is said that this clause will be activated if the midfielder makes fifteen appearances playing 45 minutes or more. However, it is only effective from next season. Regardless, it looks his time at the San Siro has come to a close after joining the club on a long-term loan deal last summer.

Fallen out of favour under Pioli

However, Calciomercato (h/t The Sun) now claim that the France international is not getting any game time for the Rossoneri is down to the player falling out of favour with manager Stefano Pioli. This comes in direct conflict with the rumour that Bakayoko’s omission from the team is down to the appearances clause in his contract.

This could also be the reason why the Chelsea loanee has made just five starts this season, despite signing a two-year loan deal with the Italian giants. Pioli seems to have taken a call on the midfielder’s future in Milan ending early, meaning that the player is expected back in London earlier than expected.

Although the 27-year-old will return to Chelsea in the summer, there is no guarantee that he has a future in west London ahead of the new season. Having spent the last four seasons on loan at different clubs, perhaps another temporary move away is destined for the player.

He has spent time at Milan before as well, being sent out on loan from Stamford Bridge in the 2018/19 season. However, things have not gone swimmingly this time around, with him falling out with the manager and not playing since January.

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It seems highly unlikely that Thomas Tuchel will find space for him in the team, with N’golo Kante, Jorginho, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek occupying the spaces in midfield. Even new loan signing Saul Niguez has struggled to fit in under the German’s game-plan.

The defensive midfielder is under contract with Chelsea till 2024, and the Blues seem to be taking losses with Bakayoko in their squad. Conor Gallagher may take his place in the Chelsea team next season after impressing at Crystal Palace on loan, which would further push the Frenchman down the pecking order. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for Bakayoko in the summer.