Chelsea Set to Dump Summer Recruit in Shocking Five-Month U-Turn
Chelsea have reportedly agreed to cut short Facundo Buonanotte's loan spell at Stamford Bridge, with the Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder set to join Leeds United for the remainder of the campaign.
Buonanotte arrived at Chelsea on a season-long loan deal on transfer deadline day last summer, with the Blues hierarchy viewing the Argentine as suitable backup for Cole Palmer and the final attacking addition following Nicolas Jackson's departure to Bayern Munich.
The acquisition surprised many Chelsea supporters, particularly given Buonanotte's previous loan spell with Ipswich Town had ended in relegation the previous season.
Those skeptics were ultimately vindicated. Buonanotte managed just one Premier League outing in early September and was only included in the matchday squad for four additional fixtures, instead being limited to cup competition appearances despite Palmer, whom he was meant to support, having made only nine Premier League starts this campaign.
Fabrizio Romano confirmed Chelsea have agreed to cancel Buonanotte's loan arrangement, with Championship side Leeds now securing his services until the summer.
Chelsea Transfer Business Continues to Frustrate Supporters
Chelsea Transfer Business Continues to Frustrate Supporters
Signs pointed to Buonanotte's struggles almost from the moment he arrived at Stamford Bridge. He cited Champions League participation as his primary motivation for joining Chelsea, only to find himself excluded from the Blues' European squad just days afterward. An injury to Dário Essugo eventually opened the door for his inclusion.
By ending his loan arrangement, Chelsea have intensified the criticism being leveled at the ownership group and sporting leadership, much of which centers on questionable transfer strategy.
An organized demonstration against the ownership has been planned, while supporters at the three matches following Enzo Maresca's exit have voiced their discontent through chants targeting co-owner Behdad Eghbali and frequently singing the name of previous owner Roman Abramovich.
Criticism has also been aimed at co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, co-director of recruitment and talent Joe Shields and director of global recruitment Sam Jewell, who face accusations of failing to construct a cohesive squad capable of challenging for trophies.