Napoli have completed the signing of Tiemoue Bakayoko of Chelsea, who has joined the Serie A outfit on a season-long loan deal.
Tiemoue Bakayoko is set for yet another loan spell as the midfielder finds a temporary new home at Napoli. The Chelsea star has penned a season long-loan deal with the Serie A outfit, becoming the third major signing for the club, after Leonardo Candellone and striker Victor Osimhen.
For Chelsea, Bakayoko’s departure is a part of the club’s massive overhaul under Frank Lampard this summer, with the Blues having already spent almost €250 million this summer. The midfielder becomes the 11th player to leave the club on loan, joining a list of players that includes the likes of Ross Barkley, Michy Batshuayi and Davide Zappacosta.
It is clear that none of those 11 players have any future at Stamford Bridge, with Bakayoko perhaps being the most unfortunate one, especially following two rather successful loan spells at AC Milan and AS Monaco.
The Frenchman has never really managed to make an impact in the Premier League. But, he deserves a lot of credit for fighting for a place in the side, producing excellent performances in Ligue 1 and in Serie A, with AC Milan. And Napoli will be hoping for a similar outcome this time around.
? | #Bakayoko è un nuovo calciatore azzurro
Benvenuto @TimoeB08 ?
? #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/2TuUm0iVMW
— Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) October 5, 2020
Bakayoko will presumably be replacing Allan, who joined Everton this summer, reuniting with former manager Carlo Ancelotti. The Brazilian’s departure has left a void in central midfield and that is where the Chelsea star is expected to fit in.
Bakayoko will face some competition in the holding midfield role, with Stanislav Lobotka and Diego Demme also being options. But, it is his combative style of play, combined with his previous experience with Gennaro Gattuso that could give him the edge, as far as team selection is concerned.
In fact, it was Gattuso who brought in Bakayoko at AC Milan in the first place and it will be interesting to see how these two find success at Napoli. As for Chelsea, they too will be hoping that the Frenchman performs in the Serie A for a second time as it could significantly bump his value, allowing them to cash in on him next summer or even in the January transfer window.
On the flip side, it seems unlikely that the Blues will be open to offload any more players including Jorginho, who was a target for Arsenal this summer.
