Report: Defender mutually terminates contract after eight years on Chelsea’s books

Chelsea defender Abdul Baba Rahman mutually terminates contract with the club and is close to a PAOK move

As per Chelsea Dodgers (h/t Football London), Chelsea have mutually terminated the contract of Abdul Baba Rahman and the defender is close to joining the Greek side PAOK.

The Ghana international initially arrived at Stamford Bridge from German side FC Augsburg eight years ago. He only played one season for the Blues though, which was his first for the club – 2015/16. He made a total of 23 appearances in all competitions at the time.

Since then, Rahman has had loan spells at Schalke (two seasons), Mallorca, Stade Reims, PAOK and Reading. His original Chelsea contract was due to expire next year (Transfermarkt). However, for the sanity of both parties, they have terminated it at the right time. Now, PAOK have a chance to sign him for free.

The 29-year-old, who has 50 appearances for Ghana, is a left-back who can operate as a wing-back or a wide midfielder in a flat four or five midfield setup.

During the 2020/21 loan spell at PAOK for the second half, the defender made 17 appearances for the Greek side. He must be expecting to become a regular member of the starting XI from the 2023/24 campaign onward.

Amidst all the outgoings taking place at Chelsea, it is good to see a player, who hasn’t played for the club since 2016 and only goes out on loan, finally relieved of the books here.

Mauricio Pochettino started working as the Blues boss on Monday. He would be happy that the club is doing its best to release the unwanted players as quickly as possible so that he has a squad of players in the pre-season who are committed to the cause here.

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It is very encouraging to see the pace Chelsea are working at to trim down their squad. Rahman, of course, wasn’t a player required here but we have to be careful that the outgoings don’t hamper our depth in certain areas.