Why loan move could unearth Chelsea's IDEAL Caicedo alternative
Cameron Smith
- 4 Aug 2023 16:42 BST
- 5 min read
Chelsea’s summer-long pursuit of Brighton & Hove Albion star Moises Caicedo has yielded no rewards so far, with the Blues perilously close to starting the new Premier League campaign with Lesley Ugochukwu as their only midfield arrival.
Ugochukwu, 19, was purchased from Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais in response to yet more failed talks with Brighton over Caicedo, but despite his talent, he could be loaned to Strasbourg this season.
As a result, Chelsea’s hopes of a summer midfield overhaul - similar to the one taking place at Anfield - have diminished significantly.
MORE: Premier League 2023/24 summer transfers: All the Done Deals
So far, Andrey Santos and Cesare Casadei are the only new midfield faces in the senior squad, and they were both already Blues players and had spent the second half of last season on loan - at Vasca da Gama and Reading, respectively.
However, another loan move to help Chelsea unearth a fantastic alternative to Caicedo and one that wouldn’t cost a penny.
MORE: Top Chelsea transfer target’s ‘exit AGREED’
Lewis Hall to Crystal Palace
According to the South London Press, Palace are actively working on securing a loan deal for Chelsea academy graduate Lewis Hall.
The report states that Hall will sign a new contract at Stamford Bridge before heading out on loan if Palace are able to seal a deal.
The two London clubs have a history of transfer negotiations, with Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek enjoying season-long loan deals at Selhurst Park and Marc Guehi signing permanently for the Eagles. Furthermore, Chelsea are keen on signing Palace star Michael Olise and are reportedly exploring the possibility of acquiring the France U21 winger.
Loaning Hall to Palace makes complete sense, despite his brilliant form for Chelsea last season. The Englishman was arguably one of the Blues’ standout performers last term, with his appearances at left-back a rare positive in a disappointing season for the west London club.
However, Mauricio Pochettino has favoured other options in pre-season, with Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella - despite his struggles - both ahead of Hall in the pecking order at left-back. Furthermore, the former Spurs manager hasn’t given the Cobham academy star a chance to prove himself in central midfield - his natural position.
But a loan to Palace could give Hall the platform to shine at Premier League level, and given Tyrick Mitchell’s presence at left-back, Roy Hodgson could even give Hall the opportunity to gain regular minutes in central midfield.
Cheick Doucoure established himself as a key member of Palace’s side last term, while Eberechi Eze shone on the left of a midfield three in 2022-23, but the departure of Wilfried Zaha means the former QPR man may be needed on the left wing.
As a result, if he arrives, Hall would be competing with summer signing Jefferson Lerma, Jeffrey Schlupp and Will Hughes for the two midfield spots on either side of Doucoure.
His talent - and the form he showed to the Chelsea U23s in midfield - suggests he would have a great chance of being trusted by Hodgson and given regular minutes.
Both Loftus-Cheek and Gallagher returned from their impressive loan spells at Palace and were given key roles at Chelsea the following season; Hall could be next on that list and he could be Chelsea’s long-term Enzo Fernandez partner if they decide against spending €115 million to sign Caicedo this summer.
