Brazilian midfielder Ramires, who now plays for Jiangsu Suning in the Chinese Premier League has iterated his desire to return to Chelsea.
As reported by Daily Mirror, Ramires has opened the door to a possible return to Chelsea, expressing his desire to make his way back to Stamford Bridge. The Brazilian midfielder current plays for Jiangsu Suning in the Chinese Premier League, but has said that he has special affection towards towards the West London club.
Ramires has been a key figure for Jiangsu Suning since moving to the Chinese Super League from Chelsea in January 2016. Over the last two seasons, the player has made 70 appearances for the club, with a modest return of 16 goals and 11 assists to show for his efforts.
But, while Jiangsu Suning finished runners-up in his first season in China, the 2017 season saw Jiangsu Suning only manage a 12th-placed finish. As a result, Ramires now seems to have opened the doors to a move away from the club and perhaps, the Chinese Super League altogether.
The likes of Inter Milan and some other clubs in Europe have been linked with a move for the player. But, Ramires himself has expressed his desire to make a return back to Chelsea, iterating that it would be “spectacular” to play for the West London club again.
“Chelsea? I’ll always have special affection for them and I want to play for them again before finishing my career. I know the doors of Stamford Bridge will always be open to me and that wearing their jersey again would be spectacular.”
Ramires had enjoyed a fruitful five-and-a-half-year spell with Chelsea, when he won every major trophy at the club level. During his time at Stamford Bridge, the Brazilian had made a name for himself for being enterprising on his forward forays and tenacious and diligent in his duties at the back.
But, under then-interim manager Guus Hiddink, Ramires had become a bit-part player following which he took the shock decision to move to Jiangsu Suning. While Chelsea haven’t expressed any interest in bringing the player back to Stamford Bridge, they could certainly do with a midfielder.
Tiemoue Bakayoko hasn’t set the stage alight since his summer move to Chelsea, while Danny Drinkwater has been inconsistent as well. January arrival Ross Barkley is still struggling for fitness, leaving Antonio Conte with N’Golo Kante and the out-of-favour Cesc Fabregas as his only other options.
Ramires could, thus, be a viable, albeit short-term target for the Blues if they do pursue a move for him. Having said that, the 30-year-old has made his intentions clear and it remains to be seen if Chelsea decide to take up the open invitation to sign him.
