According to Jack Pitt-Brooke of the Independent, Oriol Romeu is set to make a permanent switch to Southampton, following in the footsteps of Ryan Bertrand, another Chelsea fringe player who was never given a chance at Stamford Bridge.
Romeu, who has consistently been loaned out by the Blues, including a move to Valencia, never managed to impress the manager at the time when he was given a chance, and was subsequently loaned out. However, he was part of the Chelsea squad under Rafael Benitez, who won the Europa League.
Romeu will be following in the footsteps of ex-Chelsea left-back Ryan Betrand who made the switch to St Mary’s in order to receive regular playing minutes in the Premier League. Romeu is at the age where he should be seeking a club that can offer him time on the pitch, to help with his progression as a footballer. At Chelsea, he is struggling to do so and this move may be the best option for both parties.
