Former Fenerbahce star advises Chelsea youngster to leave the club

Former Fenerbahce midfielder Samuel Johnson feels that youngster Baba Rahman should leave Stamford Bridge in order to achieve full potential.

Rahman was brought in by Chelsea for a reported 22 million in 2015. The defender was loaned off to Bundesliga side FC Schalke after failing to break into the starting eleven. Chelsea manager had commented on the status of Rahman, who is injured at the moment. The Italian manager stated that the youngster can stay in the club and fight for his place after he recovers from his knee injury.

What does the future hold for Chelsea's Baba Rahman? pic.twitter.com/kDAeCcZUX0

— Goal (@goal) January 1, 2018

The left-back has only represented the London side in 15 appearances, that too under ex-manager Jose Mourinho. Conte was apparently not impressed with the Ghana International during the pre-season, ultimately loaning him off to FC Schalke.

Johnson’s piece of advice for Rahman

Johnson, who represented Ghana in 45 appearances had a  lot to say regarding Rahman’s current situation, In an interview with Goal, he said: “Baba is young, but he needs to play, Let’s think about ourselves. He is our national player, so if he’s there [Chelsea] and not playing, when he comes [to the national team], it’s going to affect us. If he’s there and he’s not playing, then that’s not a wise decision because the guys over there [at Chelsea] are strong.”
Johnson added the example of former Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku who left Chelsea for Everton and establishing himself as one of the best strikers in the Premier League. He stated: “But if there are two or three other competitors, then you know that the fight is not going to be easy. Chelsea fought over [Romelu] Lukaku, the same person the club sent away some time.
That is how the thing is. So he [Baba] should go, get playing time and let’s see what happens.
Johnson concluded by providing his own days as an example, wherein he impressed at National Level to get offers from major clubs. He said: “I was playing in Gaziantepspor, I went for the Africa Cup of Nations and Anderlecht saw me, and they came for me,” Johnson, who also played for Fenerbahce, narrated.
“So if he [Baba] keeps playing at club level, comes to the national team and plays well, if he goes for a tournament [with the national team] and he plays well there, definitely another club will pick him.”

Author’s Take:

With Marcos Alonso being in his prime, Rahman will have a difficult time if he wishes to continue at Stamford Bridge. Instead of wasting his time on the bench during the growing phase of his career, the youngster should consider a move out with clubs such as Everton, Newcastle, Fenerbahce, and Galatasaray reportedly interested in the 23-year-old.