Chelsea youngsters urged to prolong their loan spell at Vitesse by captain Guram Kashia
Vitesse captain Guram Kashia has urged Dominic Solanke, Izzy Brown, Lewis Baker, Nathan and Danilo Pantic against returning to Chelsea next summer to extend their loan spell at the Eridivisie side instead one further season. Kashia says that the Dutch league is the perfect place for the youngster to gain first-team experience but the Blues quintet need to be more than once season to complete their development.
Jose Mourinho sent the five starlets to Arnhem to let them secure playing time as Chelsea have a partnership agreement with the Dutch side – having previously overseen the development of other Blues youngsters like Nemanja Matic, Josh McEachran, Christian Atsu, Gael Kakuta, Lucas Piazon or Bertrand Traore.
And the Vitesse captain has now advised them all to prolong his loan spell one further season after admitting their departure next summer will disrupt the club's progression.
"The Dutch league is a good school for young boys but in one year you do not learn enough at Vitesse to make the move back to Chelsea," he said NUsport. "That's what I say to the young boys: don't leave after this season. There is a certain vision I must learn to go along with more - that every year a large part of the team leaves while I stay, which is quite difficult. Every year we have to build again."
The quintet are so far taking advantage of the opportunity to prove his worth before making a dream return to Stamford Bridge. Baker, for instance, has become a crucial player in Peter Bosz's midfield since his very first day, having scored three goals in 10 league appearances, while 18-year-old Solanke has netted the same amount in five starting appearances. Brown, however, started the first three Eredivise games but has since struggled to remain in the line-up.
Meanwhile, Pantic and Nathan, who were signed by Chelsea from Partizan Belgrade and Atletico Paranaense during the summer transfer window, are also seizing the opportunity to gain experience in a top European League – with the Brazilian having netted two goals in nine league appearances.
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