Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has hinted that several players loaned out by the club will not be recalled in the January transfer window.
Five players of Nigerian descent in the shape of Ola Aina, Fikayo Tomori, Kenneth Omeruo, Ike Ugbo and Tammy Abraham have been shipped out on loan in the hope that they get regular playing opportunities.
Apart from Barnsley’s Ugbo, the remaining four players were guaranteed starters for their clubs in the first half of the season.
‘’I don’t think this could be realistic. The players we send on loan are playing,’’ said Conte in Tuesday’s press conference attended by Football.London.
’I don’t see a possibility for players to come back on loan. I remember last January with Ake, Kenedy and Musonda coming back to improve our squad. ‘’ Barring an injury, defnders Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa) and Ola Aina (Hull City) are in contention to be named to Nigeria’s roster for the 2018 World Cup.
Meanwhile, EFL Championship club Queens Park Rangers have confirmed that former Super Eagles invitee Eberechi Eze has returned to the club after a successful loan spell with Wycombe Wanderers.
A statement on their official website , revealed that the 19-year-old will resume training with the London club’s first team in the coming days and is in contention to make the squad for their Emirates FA Cup clash with MK Dons on Saturday.
‘’Eze’s had an outstanding period out on loan but now is the right time to bring him back,” manager Holloway told qpr.co.uk.
“We feel he’s a good fit for us in terms of how we want to play going forward, with two number 10’s playing just off a striker, like we did against Cardiff.
“He’s going to be back in my squad. He deserves the opportunity. He’s earned it with the way he’s played during his time with Wycombe.”
Eze, a former Arsenal and Fulham trainee, was handed a late call-up to the Super Eagles squad during their training camp in London in March 2017.