Is there any chance Kenneth Omeruo will finally suit up for Chelsea as a first team player?
Following his impressive show at the AFCON 2019, coming off one of his best seasons, with CD Leganes in La Liga last term, Omeruo has shown growth and immense improvement worthy of a shout at Chelsea.
Chelsea who are serving a two-window transfer ban can do with all the experience they can get and the 25 year-old offers that and more.
Several outlets put him in the top five best Center Backs at the AFCON, and his numbers prove he was one of Europe’s best last season.
Chelsea valued him at €1.80 million before the loan to Leganes in August. Ten months later the Nigerian’s stock rose, dramatically, and is now quoted at €5million per Transfermrkt.com.
On whether he is a viable option for Manager Frank Lampard, Omeruo could have a shot, given the weight of the Chelsea back line heading into unfamiliar territory – for the club and their Manager.
Lampard only has four senior players available in CB until the transfer ban is lifted.
And Until then though, he will have to shuffle and patch up with Antonio Rudiger a doubt to return to full fitness before October.
David Luiz and Andrea Christensen have been the CB paring option for the Manager with loan returnee Kurt Zouma waiting in the wings.
According to whoscored.com, Omeruo scored a 6.78 rating for his 27 Liga appearances, totaling 2434 minutes last season.
Compared to two players who will be key for Lampard in the 2019/20 Premier League season – Rudiger and Zouma – the Nigerian can stand tall.
Rudiger made 33 league appearances (2874 minutes) and posted a 6.78 rating overall by the same football statistics website.
Meanwhile, Zouma also enjoyed a good season at Everton last term, making 29 appearances (2613 minutes) and was given a 6.78 overall rating.
While his future is still in the air; Omeruo himself demanded a permanent transfer from the Premier Club at end of last season, it is unsure what Chelsea will decide.
The decision on whether the player stays or not will also depend on what Lampard thinks of him, who despite being at Chelsea since 2012 is yet to make a senior team appearance – and has been on six loan deals already.
