Chelsea has officially declared Baba Rahman’s season long loan move to Scalke, with the German side also confirming on Twitter that the talented defender would be joining the squad on a pre-season training regime.
The 22-year-old defender arrived at Stamford Bridge last season under Jose Mourinho after signing a five-year deal from Augsburg. However, the Ghanaian defender has failed to match the standards of the Blues in his 23 appearances for the club.
DONE DEAL! @babarahmangh will be playing for #Schalke throughout the 2016/17 season ? #S04 pic.twitter.com/Hy2bFICnTg
— FC Schalke 04 (@s04_en) August 2, 2016
Speaking to the club’s official website, Schalke head coach Markus Weinzierl said: “Abdul is a strong offensive left-back, whose qualities I am absolutely convinced. For our team with his attitude, he is also a really good guy.”
In a statement to the club’s official website, Baba Rahman stated: “I obviously want to play a part with Schalke. My target is to give everything to help the team to be successful. I want to help the team and I am looking forward to the atmosphere at my first home game. I know what it’s like in the VELTINS-Arena when Schalke play, as I’ve played there before with both Augsburg and Furth.”
With a treasure of experience, Cesar Azpilicueta has been Chelsea’s main man last season and it is believed that it is due to lack of game time, Rahman has opted for move away to Germany in search of new pastures.
Rahman’s departure will leave Chelsea short of options in the left-back position after Filipe Luis signed for Atletico Madrid last season.
.@babarahmangh has today joined Schalke on a season-long loan… https://t.co/Hod6OguhOP
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 2, 2016
This leaves Conte with an uphill task of bringing in a top flight player to fill the void in the central and wide defensive positions, before the summer transfer window closes.
Conte has been desperate to bring a top notch defender this summer and was highly linked with Juventus ace defender Bonucci. However, recent reports claim Manchester United to be in pole position to secure the signatures of the Italian defender.
Rahman is expected to face a tough challenge from Sead Kolasinac for a permanent place in the left-back position at Schalke.
