Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has seemingly already lined up a replacement for one of his first-team players axed from the defeat to Fulham on Saturday. The Blues went down to a damaging 2-1 derby loss at the hands of their London rivals at Stamford Bridge, leaving them seven points off leaders Liverpool.
But afterwards, the talk was as much about Maresca’s selection as it was the surprise defeat.
The Italian didn’t name Noni Madueke or Renato Veiga in his match-day squad, and was pressed afterwards on the reasons why.
"For sure, the competition has to be higher but not only for Noni Madueke but also Renato Veiga was not in the squad and the reason is exactly the same for both of them,” he said. “There is not any different reason, it’s just a technical decision."
Veiga, 21, has made 17 club appearances this season, but only seven of them have come in the Premier League. And it appears that his manager may have seen enough, given the club are now being linked with a star who could essentially replace him.
Danish left-back Patrick Dorgu, 20, continues to impress in Serie A with Lecce. Like Veiga, he’s capable of playing defensively or in a midfield role, and is reportedly being watched by Chelsea personnel.
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According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano though, the Blues face competition. Tottenham are also said to be lining up a move, having been interested in the four-cap international since last summer.
Dorgu’s current contract runs until 2029, so Lecce are likely to try and hold out for a sizeable fee. But Maresca has proved he’s not afraid to be ruthless when it comes to getting rid of players, or pinpointing targets in the transfer market.
Veiga signed for a £12m fee from Basel in the summer, penning a seven-year deal. But he’s been most confined to Europa Conference League games this season, with Maresca clearly not considering him worthy of his strongest XI.
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In November, Veiga publicly vowed to keep working hard at the club despite his lack of regular game time. “I always want top be the best version of myself I can be,” he said.
“There is no better place to do great things than at Chelsea. I'm just proud. I want to give my best for this huge club, and win a lot of trophies. That's what we all want”.