“Passed medical” – Chelsea one step from completing major first team move

Ben Jacobs has confirmed it and the pictures are out to prove it – Renato Veiga is about to complete a loan move from Chelsea to Juventus.

The idea of Veiga leaving caught everyone by surprise initially – he only signed from Basel back in the summer, and has played probably more than anyone expected given he was a relative unknown.

But the whispers we’ve heard since are nicely summed up in Jacobs’s Tweet – it’s all about the World Cup next summer. Veiga wants to be assured of his Portugal place, and being Chelsea’s backup left back is not as helpful as being Juventus’ starting central defender.

We’re still a little uncertain on his logic there – he made his Portugal debut since his move to Chelsea, and has continued to play for his country since. The 18 appearances he’s made for Enzo Maresca’s team this season have clearly been enough to convince Roberto Martinez to give him a chance, and he’s since continued to feature for his country. So what’s the panic?

Chelsea need to think of next move to cover Veiga

In any case, it leaves Chelsea a little short in defence, especially with the news that Axel Disasi is about to go to Aston Villa. We’re well covered at centre-back since the return from loan of Trevoh Chalobah, but Veiga is a versatile player who

The idea that Levi Colwill, Malo Gusto or Reece James can cover at left back is hardly satisfactory given a) Colwill is our first choice centre back b) Gusto is in terrible form and is a right back and c) Reece James’ fitness can’t be relied upon.

On top of that, we want them all fresh for first team action, not picking up B team minutes on top of their Premier League starts.