Chelsea are reluctant to allow Nemanja Matic leave the club without having a replacement despite the Serbian making it clear he wants to leave according to the Telegraph.
The central midfielder closest to a Stamford Bridge switch now is Tiemoue Bakayoko but there’s a major concern for Chelsea manager Antonio Conte.
The box to box midfielder has an injury that could keep him out till September. He is likely to miss the first three games of the Premier League season as the Blues play Burnley, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton.
Conte is concerned what Bakayoko’s knee injury will mean to his side’s season if he’s unable to kick start life in England fully fit.
Matic on the other hand, per the Telegraph, has been training alone and is pushing for a move to join Manchester United.
However, with how Man United gazumped Chelsea to snatch Lukaku from Everton, the deal for Matic to join Jose Mourinho’s team has become complicated.
Chelsea would not stand in his way if they find a replacement though, a decision not many agree with. Sky pundit Gary Neville is baffled by Chelsea’s decision.
Gary Neville on Nemanja Matic: "It's a strange one for Chelsea to let him go because I thought he was really good for them with Kante." pic.twitter.com/oDr52jBkN7
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) July 12, 2017
Chelsea have only brought in Willy Caballero and Antonio Rudiger but are also closely monitoring other players with Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Torino’s Andrea Belotti both linked to the club as Diego Costa replacements.
Telegraph further reports that Chelsea are hoping to seal the deal to bring in Bakayoko after he completes his medicals this week, before Chelsea head out to China and Singapore for pre-season friendlies.
Matic was a reliable player last season in Chelsea’s Premier League title win alongside N’Golo Kante in central midfield and was instrumental in Chelsea’s progress to the final of the FA Cup.
His goal against Tottenham Hotspur was voted the best goal of the tournament in 2016/17.
