Why Chelsea should offload the out-of-favour Baba Rahman

According to Express (h/t The Star), Chelsea could finally look to offload Baba Rahman. Middlesbrough and Derby County have been credited with an interest in the defender in January. The defender is among five names that Chelsea could look to clear out.

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Baba Rahman started his professional career with Dreams FC in the Ghanaian lower divisions and played in the top-flight with Asante Kotoko before completing a move to Europe with German Bundesliga outfit Greuther Furth. The left-back went on to enjoy a productive debut season in the German top-tier but wasn’t able to save his club from relegation.

The 26-year-old was snapped up by Augsburg in the Bundesliga after spending a year in the second division and an outstanding 2014-15 campaign paved the way for a switch to Chelsea in the summer of 2015. Rahman made 23 appearances for the Blues during the 2015-16 campaign but fell completely out of favour following the dismissal of Jose Mourinho.

The Ghanaian has since gone through two separate loan spells at Schalke in the Bundesliga before having temporary stints at Reims in France and Mallorca in Spain.

The left-back still has two years remaining on his contract with Chelsea. A full international for Ghana since 2014, Rahman has accumulated 25 senior caps for his nation, representing the Black Stars at 2015 and 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

Baba Rahman has no future at Chelsea and they should let him go

The Ghanaian’s career has been on a downward spiral ever since he fell out of favour at Chelsea, with the left-back struggling for regular game time during his loan spells over the past three years.

However, it’s worth recalling that Rahman was once among the best young left-backs in the Bundesliga. At 26, he still has plenty of time to redeem himself.

With Chelsea’s current situation, Baba Rahman is way down the pecking order. Ben Chilwell was roped in for big money and has been the first choice. Even the likes of Emerson and Marcos Alonso have found it difficult to get games. Rahman has just been restricted to two appearances for the reserves this season.

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At 26, he needs to be a starter at a club. It is clear that it won’t happen at Chelsea. With interest from the Championship shown by Middlesbrough and Derby, Chelsea would be wise to consider the offer and allow him to leave.