Why a new loan deal for Davide Zappacosta is a wise move by Chelsea
According to Italian website Calciomercato (h/t Daily Express), Chelsea full-back Davide Zappacosta will spend the 2020/2021 campaign with Serie A side Roma.
The report claims that both the parties have reached an agreement to extend Zappacosta’s loan spell for another year with the Serie A side. Zappacosta moved to Roma just last summer, and managed just 12 minutes of action, before being ruled out for the rest of the season after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
The 27-year-old right-back joined Chelsea from Italian side Torino for a sum of around £23million in 2017, and has made 54 appearances for the Blues across all competitions so far. However, despite playing with them for two seasons, Zappacosta has never quite managed to establish himself at Stamford Bridge.
The Italian featured 22 times in the league in his maiden season and a mere four games in the last, ultimately earning a loan move to Roma this season in order to get more game time. However, luck seemed to have not favoured the right-back, who has now slowly returned to light training in Italy.
Zappacosta currently an unwanted man at Chelsea
The presence of Blues skipper and first-choice right-back Cesar Azpilicueta within the side has seen Zappacosta being restricted to the sidelines during most of his time at Stamford Bridge. With two Premier League, two Europa Cup and one FA Cup to his name, Azpilicueta is a legend at Chelsea and is one of the first few names on the teamsheet.
The Spaniard’s consistency and longevity in the game have seen him nail down the right-back spot for himself since arriving eight years ago. To add to Zappacosta’s miseries, this season has also seen the rise of academy graduate Reece James as one of the key players within the current line-up.
The 20-year-old right-back has made 26 appearances in total for Chelsea this term and has two goals and three assists to his credit, putting Zappacosta’s role within the side under even more jeopardy.
Meanwhile, Serie A side Roma are in need of an established right-back, with seasoned campaigners Davide Santon and Bruno Peres failing to establish themselves at the Stadio Olimpico.
Manager Paulo Fonseca had to rely on both the players from time to time due to the unavailability of an established right-back. The duo together have managed just one assist, making it clear that they need someone like Zappacosta within their side next season.
Hence, it seems like a wise decision from both parties as Zappacosta may see himself getting increasingly limited to the benches at Chelsea, now that Reece has announced himself on the big stage.
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Verdict
Chelsea have enough back-up in the right-back role, with Azpilicueta and James doing a pretty job at the back this season. Making Zappacosta stay at Stamford Bridge seems like a waste of their time and money. Hence, Chelsea’s decision to extend his loan spell at Roma by another year is, by all means, a wise decision from the club.